Single Motor Printing Device Roller Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing devices require larger sizes due to the need for multiple motors and complex mechanisms to manage roller positions and tape transport, leading to increased sizing requirements and potential jamming issues.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a single motor that uses a combination of gears and a moving mechanism to control the position of a roller, allowing it to rotate and move between holding positions while maintaining a predetermined position, reducing the need for additional motors and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple motors and complex mechanisms are used to manage roller positions and tape transport, then the printing device can reliably control roller movement and tape transport, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple motors into a single motor that controls both the roller rotation and position movement. The single motor is coupled to both the roller (for rotation) and the moving mechanism (for position adjustment), eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing device size while maintaining control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it rotates the roller for tape transport and simultaneously controls the moving mechanism for roller position adjustment. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components and minimizes device footprint
2Reliability
If multiple motors and complex mechanisms are used to manage roller positions and tape transport, then the printing device can reliably control roller movement and tape transport, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions into a single motor system that manages both roller rotation and position movement. This consolidation simplifies the overall mechanism by eliminating multiple motors and their associated control systems, reducing complexity while maintaining tape transport reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism as an intermediary that transmits the motor's rotational motion to both the roller and the moving mechanism. This intermediary component simplifies the control architecture by using a single motor to drive multiple functions through coordinated mechanical coupling
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient tape transport and printing while minimizing the device's size and reducing the risk of jamming, as the single motor controls both the rotation and position changes of the roller, maintaining the tape's flow and preventing jams.
Implementation Method 1
a motor rotatable in a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction
Implementation Method 2
a first coupling mechanism that couples the motor and the roller in a manner drivable together, and rotates the roller in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
The moving mechanism may move the rotation shaft of the roller along a toothed peripheral surface of the first gear to move the roller to the first position and the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device includes a discharging roller, opposing rollers opposing the discharging roller, a discharge motor, a first coupling mechanism, a moving mechanism, and a second coupling mechanism. The first coupling mechanism rotates the discharging roller in a direction where a tape is transported downstream when the discharge motor rotates forward (arrow R1). The moving mechanism moves the discharging roller to a nip position to hold the tape with the opposing rollers and a release position spaced from the tape. The second coupling mechanism includes a one-way clutch that couples the discharge motor and the moving mechanism in a manner drivable together when the discharge motor rotates reversely (arrow R2) and decouples the discharge motor from the moving mechanism when the discharge motor rotates forward (arrow R1).