Roll Medium Trailing Edge Detection via Support Member Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses fail to accurately detect the trailing edge of a roll medium when it is firmly fixed to the core body, leading to incomplete detection of the remaining print medium, which prevents the transport mechanism from recognizing when all print medium has been drawn out.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus includes a support member with an engagement groove and a trailing edge detection section that detects the separation of the support member from the groove, allowing for accurate detection of when all print medium has been drawn out by the transport mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the trailing edge of the print medium is firmly fixed to the core body with adhesive, then the roll medium can be stored and transported stably, but the trailing edge cannot be detected when all print medium is drawn out
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary between the core body and the detection system. The support member engages with the groove on the core body and provides a detectable reference point. When all print medium is drawn out, the support member separates from the groove, enabling detection without requiring the trailing edge itself to be detectable.
2Device complexity
If the paper detector is placed on the transport path to detect the trailing edge, then the detection structure is simple, but it cannot detect when the trailing edge is fixed to the core body
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as a mediator that transfers the state of the core body (whether print medium remains or not) to a detectable position. Instead of detecting the trailing edge directly on the transport path, the system detects the support member's position, which changes state when all medium is consumed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support member remains engaged with the groove throughout operation, then the roll medium is securely held, but no detection signal is generated when print medium is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement between the support member and the groove is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The support member remains engaged during normal operation but automatically separates when all print medium is drawn out, providing a natural detection signal without compromising operational stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus 10 includes support member 12 that supports a core body Ra of a roll medium R, a transport mechanism 17 that transports the print medium S drawn out from the roll medium R, a first accommodation sidewall 27 and a second accommodation sidewall 28 arranged in a width direction, a print head 22, and a trailing edge detection section 60 that detects that all of the print medium S that is drawable out from the roll medium R has been drawn out by the transport mechanism 17, wherein the first accommodation sidewall 27 has groove 50, and the roll medium R is accommodated in an accommodation section 11 by engaging the support member 12 with the groove 50 and the trailing edge detection section 60 detects that the support member 12 is separated from an engagement surface 52 of the groove 50.