Ticket Printer Alternate Exit Mechanism for Blockage Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed transaction-based printers face issues with ticket stacking and ejection due to curled paper stock and blockages, leading to errors and delays, particularly when the primary ticket exit becomes obstructed.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus providing an alternate ticket exit for printers, where tickets are diverted from a stacking nip into a second exit when the primary exit is blocked or the bin reaches capacity, using a stacking deflector and cover design to manage ticket flow and prevent paper jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single primary ticket exit is used, then the printer structure is simple, but the system reliability deteriorates when blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single ticket exit is segmented into two separate exits: a primary exit (first exit) for normal operation and a secondary exit (second exit) for backup. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability by switching to the secondary exit when the primary exit is blocked, while keeping each individual exit structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the exit path by introducing an alternate route. When the primary exit becomes blocked, the ticket flow parameter is changed to use the secondary exit instead, maintaining system reliability without requiring complex active switching mechanisms.
2Productivity
If high-speed printing is implemented, then productivity increases, but the likelihood of curling and blockage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exit path is segmented into primary and secondary routes, allowing the system to handle high-speed printing reliably by switching to the secondary exit when curling causes blockage in the primary exit, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary exit is prepared in advance as a backup path to handle situations where high-speed printing causes ticket curling and blockage. This preliminary preparation ensures that productivity losses are minimized when blockages occur during high-speed operation.
3Ease of operation
If manual ticket removal is required, then device complexity is reduced, but labor time and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ticket collection process is segmented into automatic stacking in the bin for normal operation and manual intervention only when the bin is full or blocked. This segmentation automates the time-consuming compilation process, significantly reducing labor time and errors while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An alternate ticket exit is provided in the event of a blockage of the primary ticket exit of a printer. Printed tickets are fed from a stacking nip into a ticket bin via a first ticket exit. A second ticket exit is provided which leads away from the ticket bin. Tickets are diverted into the second ticket exit in the event the ticket bin has reached capacity or the first ticket exit is blocked. By diverting tickets out of the second exit when the ticket bin has reached capacity or when the first ticket exit is blocked, the tickets are allowed to exit the printer and paper jams are prevented.