Ribbon Roll Shaft Antenna Layout for Stable Tag Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing label printers face interference issues with antenna communication due to the presence of multiple ribbon rolls during replacement, affecting data communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The antenna for wireless communication with the ink ribbon roll is integrated onto the outer peripheral surface of a shaft within the printing apparatus, with a protective sleeve and bearing configuration to prevent interference and facilitate easy ribbon roll replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the antenna is placed on the printer main body close to the wireless tag for good data communication, then communication reliability is improved, but mechanical interference and replacement difficulty increase when multiple ribbon rolls are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidribbon roll replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is segmented from the printer main body and relocated to be integrated onto the shaft itself. This segmentation allows the antenna to be positioned closer to the wireless tag on the ribbon roll for better communication, while the shaft can be independently removed during replacement without the antenna, eliminating mechanical interference issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna positioning is shifted from a fixed position on the printer main body to a movable position on the shaft. This dimensional change allows the antenna to dynamically follow the ribbon roll during operation and replacement, maintaining optimal communication distance while avoiding interference from other ribbon rolls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the antenna is integrated onto the shaft for easier ribbon roll replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but communication stability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveribbon roll replacement easeVSAvoidcommunication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is pre-integrated onto the shaft in a fixed position before ribbon roll installation. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the ribbon roll is mounted, the antenna is already in the optimal location for communication with the wireless tag, maintaining communication stability while enabling easy replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft serves as an intermediary carrier that holds both the antenna and the ribbon roll. By integrating the antenna onto the shaft rather than the printer main body, the shaft acts as a stable intermediary that maintains consistent relative positioning between the antenna and the wireless tag during operation and replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ribbon rolls are present during replacement, then inventory flexibility is improved, but communication interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveribbon roll inventory flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is extracted from the printer main body and relocated to the shaft. This extraction removes the antenna from the fixed printer structure, allowing it to be positioned on the active ribbon roll shaft only, thereby eliminating interference from other ribbon rolls while maintaining communication flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna positioning system transitions from a static configuration on the printer main body to a dynamic configuration on the shaft. This dynamic positioning allows the antenna to automatically adapt to which ribbon roll is currently active, eliminating interference from inactive ribbon rolls while maintaining communication stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12521999B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a printing apparatus includes a shaft on which an ink ribbon roll with a wireless tag can be mounted. The ink ribbon roll rotates about the shaft. An antenna for communication with the wireless tag is on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft. A wiring is on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and connects to the antenna. A protective sleeve is provided to be between the shaft and the mounted ink ribbon roll. The protective sleeve covers an end portion of the shaft and the wiring at the end portion. A bearing is outside the protective sleeve. The bearing is rotatable about the protective sleeve. A printing unit is configured to perform printing on a medium to be printed with ink ribbon drawn out of the ink ribbon roll.