Recording Apparatus Path Overlap for Compact Two-Sided Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in reducing their vertical dimension due to the separate paths required for reversing and discharging media, leading to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The recording apparatus overlaps path sections for reverse-feeding and reverse-discharging in the vertical direction, allowing for two-sided printing without a dedicated reversing path, and uses a reversing roller's outer surface to reverse media, thereby reducing the vertical dimension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate paths are provided for reversing and discharging media in the vertical direction, then the media can be reversed and discharged properly, but the apparatus height increases and the size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reverse-feeding path and reverse-discharging path by making them overlap in the vertical direction when viewed from the medium width direction. This merging of paths allows both functions to be performed within a reduced vertical space, eliminating the need for completely separate reversing and discharging paths that would increase apparatus height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the width direction (apparatus width direction) to arrange the overlapping path sections, allowing the paths to coexist in three-dimensional space without increasing the vertical dimension. By viewing and arranging paths from the width direction perspective, the invention achieves path integration without compromising the media reversing and discharging functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated reversing path is provided for two-sided printing, then two-sided printing can be performed, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reverse-feeding path serve multiple functions by enabling it to handle both the reversal of media for two-sided printing and the discharge of printed media. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated reversing path, allowing two-sided printing capability to be achieved without increasing apparatus volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reversing function and discharging function into overlapping path sections, where the same physical space is utilized for both operations at different times in the printing process. This combining of functions enables two-sided printing without requiring additional dedicated space for reversing.
3Reliability
If the path sections for reverse-feeding and reverse-discharging are arranged separately in the vertical direction, then each path can function independently, but the vertical dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the path sections into distinct functional zones (reverse-feeding path section and reverse-discharging path section) that overlap in space but maintain functional independence through temporal separation and controlled media flow. This segmentation allows independent functionality while achieving spatial integration to reduce vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the path switching mechanism to ensure that media flows through the correct path at the correct time, maintaining functional independence of the overlapping path sections. The dynamic switching allows the same physical space to serve different functions at different times, preserving reliability while reducing vertical dimension.
Data Source
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AI summary
A recording apparatus (1) includes a medium mounting section (8) on which a medium is to be mounted, a reverse-feeding path (R1) for reversing the medium that has been fed from the medium mounting section (8), a recording unit (15) configured to perform recording onto the medium that has been reversed by the reverse-feeding path (R1), and a reverse-discharging path (R3) for reversing the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit (15) and for guiding the medium to a discharge section (21) configured to discharge the medium, in which when viewed in a medium width direction (X) intersecting a medium transport direction (Y), a path section for reversing the medium in the reverse-feeding path and a path section for reversing the medium in the reverse-discharging path have portions overlapping each other in the vertical direction (Z).