Switchable Platen Contact Surface for Wet Medium Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face difficulties in removing a medium that has been wetted with ink, as the liquid often adheres to the medium support unit, making it challenging to detach.
Innovation Solution
A platen with a switchable contact surface configuration, allowing the size of the contact surface to be reduced from a first area to a second area, which is half or less, to facilitate easier removal of a wet medium, featuring a first member and a second member that can be moved relative to each other to adjust the contact surface size, and including a locking mechanism to maintain the desired state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the contact surface area is increased to provide stable support for the medium, then the medium support stability is improved, but the medium removal difficulty increases when the medium is wetted with ink
Solution Approach 1:
The platen contact surface is designed to be dynamically adjustable between a first area for stable support during printing and a second area for easy medium removal. The second member can be moved relative to the first member to switch between these states, transforming a static support surface into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surface is segmented into two distinct area configurations. The first area provides comprehensive support for stable printing, while the second area reduces contact to facilitate easy medium removal. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for either support stability or removal ease depending on the operational stage.
2Ease of operation
If the contact surface area is decreased to facilitate easy medium removal, then the medium removal ease is improved, but the medium support stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platen contact surface transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one that can be adjusted between a first area for stable support and a second area for easy removal. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize contact surface area based on the current operational requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surface is divided into two functional segments: a first area that provides comprehensive support for stable printing operations, and a second area that reduces contact for easy medium removal. This segmentation enables the system to switch between support-optimized and removal-optimized configurations.
3Device complexity
If a fixed contact surface is used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different operational stages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platen incorporates a movable second member that can be positioned at different locations relative to the first member, creating a dynamically adaptable contact surface. This dynamic element adds only minimal structural complexity while providing significant adaptability for different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The platen structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides stable support during printing operations and facilitates easy medium removal after printing. The movable second member enables this multi-functionality, allowing a single platen structure to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A platen is configured to define a contact surface which is a medium placement surface when being mounted on a printer. The platen includes: first and second members having first and second surfaces, respectively. The first member includes a plate having the first surface. A state of the platen is switchable between: a first state in which the contact surface is formed inside an outer edge of the plate by the first and second surfaces to have a first area; and a second state in which the contact surface is formed by the first surface to have a second area smaller than the first area. In the second state, the first surface forms the contact surface inside the outer edge and the second surface does not form the contact surface.