Rolled Sheet Guide Regulation Gears for Easy Width Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printers using rolled sheets face difficulties in easily setting the sheet due to the need for manual adjustment of guide support units to match the sheet width, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A regulation device using rack gears, pinion gears, and regulation gears to control the movement of guide support units, allowing for easy adjustment and secure positioning of rolled sheets within a printer, with features like tension springs and locking mechanisms to maintain the desired width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of guide support units is used to match sheet width, then the printer can accommodate different rolled sheet widths, but the setting process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different rolled sheet widthsVSAvoidsetting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide support units are made movable and adjustable through a regulation device with gears, allowing dynamic adaptation to different sheet widths while maintaining ease of operation through mechanical assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The regulation device pre-establishes the relationship between guide support unit positions and sheet widths, so users only need to select the appropriate setting rather than manually measure and adjust for each sheet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If guide support units are made movable for width adjustment, then rolled sheets of different widths can be accommodated, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth adjustment capabilityVSAvoidregulation mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex electrical or computerized adjustment systems are replaced with a simple mechanical gear-based regulation device that provides the same functionality with fewer components and lower complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The regulation device serves multiple functions: it adjusts guide support unit positions, regulates their movement, and provides stable positioning, all through a single integrated mechanical mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12497259B2Regulation device and printer

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

A regulation device regulates movement in a width direction of a rolled sheet which is a recording medium of a printer. The regulation device includes: a first rack gear connected to one guide support unit supporting the rolled sheet so that movement to one side of the width direction is regulated, and provided to be movable in the width direction; a second rack gear connected to the other guide support unit supporting the rolled sheet so that movement to the other side of the width direction is regulated, and provided to be movable in the width direction; a pinion gear engaging with the first and second rack gears; and a regulation gear that engages with the first rack gear to rotate and regulates the movement of the first and second rack gears by regulating the rotation.