Alternating Diameter Rollers for Media Transport Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale printing devices face issues with media buckling and jamming due to curling, especially when transitioning from a roll to an output tray, which can lead to smudging and incomplete ejection, exacerbated by thin media and printing fluid deposition.
Innovation Solution
A media transport device with alternating rollers of different diameters aligned perpendicular to the feed path, forming corrugation to increase media rigidity and prevent buckling, while maintaining frictional drive without differential velocities to prevent smudging and ensure smooth ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If media is wound as a large roll and unwound for high-volume printing, then printing capacity and productivity are improved, but the media develops a propensity to curl and buckle, causing jams and incomplete ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using a series of rollers to impart corrugation to the media in advance, creating rigidity that counteracts the curling and buckling tendency before the media completes its path through the printing device. This preemptive structural modification prevents the media from developing harmful curl during high-volume operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature by introducing a corrugated profile to the media through rollers with varying diameters. The alternating contact with curved roller surfaces creates a controlled undulating shape that increases structural rigidity and resists the natural curling tendency of unwound roll media.
2Ease of operation
If traditional rollers move the media along the feed path, then media transport is achieved, but the media curling is not prevented and can cause buckling during ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the function of transport rollers from simple cylindrical shapes to a series of rollers with varying diameters. This curvature variation imparts a corrugated profile to the media, converting the rollers from mere transport devices to active structural modifiers that simultaneously move and rigidify the media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rollers along the feed path, using alternating larger and smaller diameter rollers. This parameter variation creates the corrugation effect that increases media rigidity, transforming the media's mechanical properties during transport rather than relying on the media's inherent stiffness.
3Productivity
If media is processed at high volume through a printing device, then productivity increases, but thin media softens from printing fluid and becomes more susceptible to curl and buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature-based corrugation through the roller system to compensate for the loss of media stiffness. The undulating profile created by alternating roller diameters provides structural reinforcement that counteracts the softening effect of printing fluid deposition on thin media during high-volume processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the media's effective mechanical parameters by imposing a corrugated geometry. This geometric parameter change increases the media's bending stiffness and structural integrity, allowing it to withstand the softening effect of printing fluid while maintaining stability during high-volume operation.
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 corrugation enhances media rigidity, reducing buckling and jamming, while preventing smudging and ensuring robust ejection and directed transport, improving the quality and efficiency of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
A media transport device with alternating rollers of different diameters aligned perpendicular to the feed path, forming corrugation to increase media rigidity
Implementation Method 2
maintaining frictional drive without differential velocities to prevent smudging
Data Source
AI summary
In one example in accordance with the present disclosure a media transport device is described. The device includes a number of drive rollers coupled to a frame. A number of media rollers are also coupled to the frame. The media rollers are in contact with, and rotated by, the number of drive rollers. Media rollers in a first set have a first diameter and media rollers in a second set have a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. The device also includes a number of pinch rollers coupled to the frame. The pinch rollers are in contact with the number of media rollers to form a number of nips through which media passes along a feed path.