Recording Device Restricting Roller for Ink Transfer Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In recording devices, the back end of a medium can spring up and contact a guide member during the switchback path, leading to ink transfer and requiring an extended linear path for stabilization, which increases device size.

Innovation Solution

A recording device with a restricting roller having teeth along its periphery, positioned to restrict the medium's back end movement toward the recording unit, and a guide member to support the roller, preventing ink transfer and allowing for a non-linear medium transport path without increasing device size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the medium transport path downstream the transport roller pair is made linear and the length is increased to stabilize medium posture, then the spring-up of the back end region is suppressed and ink transfer is prevented, but the device size becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink transfer to guide memberVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A restricting roller is introduced as an intermediary component between the medium back end region and the guide member. The restricting roller physically blocks the spring-up movement of the medium back end, preventing contact with the guide member and thus preventing ink transfer, without requiring an extended linear transport path that would increase device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The restricting roller is positioned upstream of the transport roller pair to preemptively restrict the back end region of the medium before it can spring up and contact the guide member. This preliminary restriction action prevents the harmful effect (ink transfer) from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for downstream corrections or extended paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the medium transport path is curved for switchback double-sided recording, then the device can perform double-sided recording, but the back end region of the medium springs up toward the recording unit side causing ink transfer to the guide member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedouble-sided recording capabilityVSAvoidink transfer to guide member

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restricting roller serves as a mediator that allows the curved switchback path to be used for double-sided recording while preventing the harmful spring-up effect. It intercepts the back end region's upward movement, enabling the curved path configuration to be maintained without causing ink transfer to the guide member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12122150B2Recording device

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A recording device includes a recording unit configured to discharge liquid onto a medium to perform recording, a transport unit configured to transport the medium at a position facing the recording unit, a transport unit downstream roller pair located downstream the transport unit in a medium transport path and configured to transport the medium, a restricting roller being a roller configured to restrict movement of a medium back end region upstream the transport unit downstream roller pair in the medium transport path toward the recording unit side, and including a plurality of teeth along an outer periphery thereof, and a guide member being a member configured to support the restricting roller, and guiding the medium.