Battery-Adaptive Thermal Printer Timing for Consistent Print Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
When replacing a conventional battery with an alternative battery in a thermal printer, differences in internal resistance can lead to variations in printing quality, such as increased printing density, due to the altered power supply per unit time.
Innovation Solution
The printer calculates and adjusts the energization time for the thermal head based on the internal resistance difference between the reference and alternative batteries, using specific formulas to maintain consistent printing speed and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the conventional battery is replaced with an alternative battery having lower internal resistance, then the power supply capability is improved, but the printing quality deteriorates due to increased printing density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the energization time parameter based on the battery type's internal resistance characteristics. When an alternative battery with lower internal resistance is used, the system calculates and applies a corrected energization time to compensate for the increased power supply capability, thereby maintaining consistent printing density and quality across different battery types.
2Ease of operation
If the printing speed is maintained at the same level after battery replacement, then the usability is improved, but the printing quality deteriorates due to difference in internal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the energization time parameter according to the detected battery type. By storing correction values for different battery types and applying the appropriate correction, the system maintains both the desired printing speed and consistent printing quality, resolving the contradiction between usability and printing quality.
3Device complexity
If the energization time is not adjusted after battery replacement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the printing quality deteriorates due to internal resistance difference
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the battery type and applies the appropriate energization time correction without requiring manual intervention. The control unit stores correction values for different battery types and autonomously selects and applies the correct correction, maintaining printing quality while minimizing user burden and system complexity.
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
Ensures compatibility in printing quality and speed by adjusting the energization time according to the battery type, thereby maintaining consistent printing performance even after battery replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head configured to include a plurality of heating elements arranged along a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A printer driven by power of a battery, the printer including a thermal head including a plurality of heating elements arranged along a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction, a drive unit to supply power to the thermal head to drive the thermal head, and a processor to control driving and perform printing on the recording medium according to printing data, in which the processor calculates, based on a state of its own printer, a printing cycle related to printing of each line for the line configuring the printing data and an energization time for supplying power to the thermal head within the printing cycle, adjusts the energization time according to a characteristic difference between an internal resistance of the reference battery and an internal resistance of the battery, and prints for one line by supplying power to the drive unit during the energization time after adjustment.