Sliding Medium Support Part Path Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale recording apparatuses face issues with paper cutting or breaking during the sliding of medium support parts due to protruding paper paths, leading to increased apparatus size and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The medium paths are designed such that their openings are partially or entirely on the sliding plane between the housing and the medium support part, preventing interference between the first and second walls during sliding, which allows the medium support part to be reduced in size while preventing paper cutting or breaking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the medium paths protrude out to the apparatus back surface side, then the paper can be conveyed through the medium paths, but the apparatus size increases and the medium support part becomes larger in the sliding direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidpaper cutting prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the openings of the medium paths on the sliding plane between the housing and the medium support part, utilizing the sliding dimension to allow the medium support part to move without interference from the walls of the medium paths. This dimensional arrangement prevents paper cutting while keeping the apparatus compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the first wall and second wall are positioned to define the medium paths, then the paper can be guided, but the walls may interfere with each other during sliding of the medium support part causing paper cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper conveyanceVSAvoidpaper breaking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the medium paths into separate segments with their openings positioned on the sliding plane, allowing the medium support part to slide independently without the walls interfering with each other. This segmentation prevents paper breaking during the sliding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of moving object

If the medium support part is reduced in size in the sliding direction, then the apparatus becomes more compact, but the paper path may be obstructed during sliding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedium support part lengthVSAvoidpaper conveyance smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the sliding plane dimension to position the openings of the medium paths, allowing the medium support part to be compact in the sliding direction while maintaining smooth paper conveyance. The walls of the medium paths do not obstruct the sliding motion due to their positioning on the sliding plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2783874B1Recording apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP2783874B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2783874B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2783874B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A recording apparatus includes a housing (10) with a recording unit (12), and a medium support part (50). The housing has a first medium path )30) through which the recording medium is configured to pass. The medium support part (50) is slidable with respect to the housing in a sliding direction (D1). The medium support part has a second medium path (60) through which the recording medium is configured to pass. The first and second medium paths have openings (30a, 60a) that are at least partially disposed on a sliding plane (P1) defined between the housing and the medium support part. A wall (31) of the first medium path (30) on one side (D2) in the sliding direction and a wall (62) of the second medium path (60) on the other side (D3) in the sliding direction are arranged not to contact with respect to each other while the medium support part slides towards the one side in the sliding direction.