Adhesive Belt Transport with Pressing Roller Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices face challenges in accurately determining the adhesive force of adhesive layers on transport belts due to potential slippage, which can lead to position deviations of media and liquid ejection inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A control unit directly measures the load on a pressing unit in contact with the adhesive layer to determine adhesive force, using methods such as varying speeds and temperatures to maintain accurate adhesion and adjust pressing forces, and includes a notification system for user awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the transport belt slips with respect to the driving roller during medium peeling, then the medium position accuracy deteriorates, but the adhesive force measurement becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical detection method (directly measuring force during peeling) with an electrical measurement method (detecting load current in the drive unit). This substitution allows accurate measurement of adhesive force through electrical parameters while avoiding the mechanical slippage problem between the transport belt and driving roller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the load current as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure the adhesive force. Instead of directly measuring the mechanical force during peeling, the system measures the electrical current consumed by the drive unit, which correlates with the adhesive force. This intermediary measurement approach eliminates the reliability issues caused by mechanical slippage.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pressing unit applies high pressing force to maintain adhesion, then medium position accuracy improves, but the adhesive layer may be damaged or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the measured adhesive force (via load current) is used to dynamically adjust the pressing force. When adhesive force is sufficient, pressing force is reduced to prevent damage. When adhesive force decreases, pressing force is increased to maintain adhesion. This closed-loop feedback resolves the contradiction between maintaining position accuracy and preserving adhesive layer integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the pressing force dynamic rather than static. The pressing unit adjusts its force in real-time based on the measured adhesive force conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to apply high pressing force only when necessary (when adhesion is weak) and reduce pressing force when adhesion is sufficient, thereby preventing adhesive layer damage while maintaining medium position accuracy.
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
This approach allows for precise determination and control of adhesive force, reducing media position deviations and liquid ejection inaccuracies, ensuring consistent and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a transport belt 42 with an adhesive layer AD
Data Source
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AI summary
A transport unit includes a glue belt, a pressurizing roller, a roller driving unit, and a control unit. The glue belt includes an adhesive layer. The pressurizing roller presses a medium against the adhesive layer while reciprocating in a Y direction. The roller driving unit generates a driving force for the pressurizing roller to reciprocate. The control unit controls the roller driving unit. The pressurizing roller is separated from the adhesive layer along with reciprocation. The control unit is capable of detecting a load of the roller driving unit, and determines whether the magnitude of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer is less than a target value, based on the load.