Roll Support Device With Segmented Guide Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roll support devices for printers are complex to operate when replacing rolled media, and there is a risk of losing guide members during detachment.

Innovation Solution

A roll support device with a shaft portion, a first guide member for the inner end surface, a second guide member for the inner peripheral side of the outer end surface, and a third guide member for the outer peripheral side, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without losing the guide members, and adjustable positions to accommodate different roll paper widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a guide member is detached at the time of detachment, then the rolled medium can be replaced, but the guide member may be lost and the operation becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of rolled medium replacementVSAvoidrisk of guide member loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is divided into a body portion and a separate attachment portion. The attachment portion can be detachably attached to the rolled medium, allowing the guide member to be easily removed and replaced without losing any components. This segmentation enables simple detachment while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment portion is pre-configured with attachment mechanisms (such as elastic arms or magnetic elements) that automatically engage with the rolled medium. This preliminary setup allows for quick attachment and detachment operations without complex manual procedures, improving ease of operation while preventing loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a guide member is detachably attached to regulate the end surface, then the rolled medium can be supported, but the operation of attaching/detaching becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment portion is designed to automatically attach to and detach from the rolled medium through self-aligning mechanisms. The elastic arms or magnetic elements automatically engage with the end surface, providing stable support without requiring complex manual attachment operations. The system serves itself by using the weight and geometry of the guide member to achieve proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment portion utilizes elastic deformation or magnetic field changes to achieve automatic attachment. When the guide member is positioned, the elastic arms deform to engage with the rolled medium, or magnetic elements align to provide secure attachment. This parameter-based mechanism simplifies the attachment operation while maintaining reliable support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If guide members are used to regulate both end surfaces, then the rolled medium is supported, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of guide members

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member body portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, regulates both end surfaces of the rolled medium, and contains the attachment mechanism. By making the guide member multi-functional, the design reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining accurate regulation of the rolled medium's end surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment portion and body portion are merged into a single integrated guide member assembly. The attachment portion is positioned at the end of the body portion, combining the support function and attachment function into one component. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to regulate both end surfaces accurately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12139365B2Roll support device

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 FUJITSU FRONTECH LTD

AI summary

A roll support device includes: a shaft portion that supports a center hole of a rolled medium in which a medium is wound; a first guide member with which one end surface of the rolled medium in an axial direction of the shaft portion is in contact; a second guide member that is provided on the shaft portion and regulates, in the axial direction, an inner peripheral side of another end surface of the rolled medium in the axial direction; and a third guide member that regulates, in the axial direction, an outer peripheral side of the other end surface of the rolled medium supported by the shaft portion.