Tray Pressing Member for Disc Holding Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trays for printing media, such as discs, can cause the media to come off during conveyance due to malfunctioning disc holding mechanisms when subjected to roller pairs, leading to printing errors and blurriness.
Innovation Solution
A tray design featuring a recessed portion with slidable pressing members and elastic members that urge the pressing member to press the printing medium against regulating portions, ensuring secure positioning and preventing the medium from warping or coming off, even when the tray is bent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disc holding means is used to press the disc towards the upstream side, then the disc can be held on the tray, but the disc holding means may malfunction when nipped by the roller pair, causing the disc to come off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the disc holding means from the tray structure entirely. Instead of having a separate holding mechanism that can malfunction, the tray design uses the inherent geometry of the recessed portion and the pressing member's elastic pressing action to secure the disc. This extraction of the complex holding means eliminates the risk of it being nipped by rollers while maintaining reliable disc retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray structure itself provides the holding function through the recessed portion's geometry and the elastic pressing member's automatic pressing action. The pressing member automatically presses the disc against the regulating portion when the tray is inserted, without requiring additional active holding mechanisms. The system uses its own structural features to achieve reliable disc retention.
2Productivity
If the tray is conveyed using a roller pair, then the tray can be transported, but the roller pair may nip the disc holding means, causing malfunction and disc displacement
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the disc holding means from the tray structure, the patent eliminates the component that would be nipped by the roller pair during conveyance. The disc is held securely by the recessed portion and pressing member configuration, which does not interfere with the roller pair's conveyance operation, thus preventing malfunction and maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If a simple recessed portion design is used, then the tray structure is simple, but the printing medium may warp or come off during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a recessed portion with specific geometric features at the precise location where the disc needs to be held. The pressing member is positioned to apply localized elastic pressure at the critical point where the disc contacts the regulating portion. This localized structural enhancement provides the necessary stability without requiring complex overall tray design.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion is designed with asymmetric features including a regulating portion that extends in a specific direction and a pressing member that applies unidirectional pressure. This asymmetric configuration creates optimal mechanical engagement between the disc, pressing member, and regulating portion, preventing warping and displacement while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 tray effectively holds printing media in place, preventing displacement and ensuring accurate positioning, which enhances printing quality by maintaining the medium's stability during conveyance and printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
elastic members (43A, 43B) that urge the pressing member (42) in a sliding direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A tray (3) for a printing apparatus including a conveying means that conveys the tray holding a printing medium, and a printing means that performs printing onto a print surface of the printing medium on the tray. The tray includes a placement surface (41) on which a printing medium is to be placed, a pressing member (42) that presses the printing medium on the placement surface towards the downstream side of an inserting direction of the tray with respect to the printing apparatus, and a regulating portion (44, 45) configured to regulate a movement of the printing medium by abutting the printing medium pressed by the pressing member.