Tray Support Positioning for Lightweight Printing Trays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing devices for mediums like T-shirts face challenges due to heavy trays that move horizontally, necessitating a reduction in tray weight for stable support.

Innovation Solution

A printing device with a tray support section that includes a positioning section to determine the medium's placement position, eliminating the need for the tray to move horizontally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the positioning section is provided on the tray itself, then the medium can be properly placed, but the tray becomes heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium placement positionVSAvoidtray weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is separated from the tray structure. The positioning section is provided on the tray support section instead of the tray itself, dividing the system into the tray (for supporting medium) and tray support section (for positioning). This segmentation allows the tray to be lightweight while maintaining positioning functionality through the support section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the tray moves horizontally, then the medium can be positioned, but the tray becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium placement positionVSAvoidtray stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the tray horizontally to position the medium, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the tray stationary and using a movable positioning section on the tray support section. The positioning section can move horizontally to adjust the medium placement position, while the tray itself remains stable and fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Weight of moving object

If the tray is made lightweight, then the tray is easier to handle, but the positioning function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray weightVSAvoidmedium placement position

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tray support section acts as an intermediary between the tray and the positioning function. It provides a stable base for the lightweight tray while incorporating the positioning section that can move independently to adjust medium placement. This intermediary structure allows the tray to remain lightweight while the positioning function is maintained through the support section's movable positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12485685B2Printing device

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing device includes a printing section and a tray support section. The printing section performs printing on a medium. The tray support section supports a tray. The tray includes a placement surface configured to support the medium. The tray support section includes a positioning section that determines a placement position of the medium with respect to the tray.