Printing device and printing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-sided printing systems for cloth struggle to accurately align images on the front and back surfaces due to low detection capability of images on the back surface using visible light.
Innovation Solution
A printing device equipped with a transport belt with an adhesive layer, a printing section with two heads for ejecting image forming ink and capture target forming ink, and an infrared image capturing section to capture images of a capture target on the front surface, allowing for accurate alignment and printing on the back surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visible light is used to detect image position on cloth surface, then the detection system is simple, but the detection capability and measurement precision are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light from visible light to infrared light. This parameter change enables the detection system to penetrate or transmit through the cloth material, allowing accurate detection of image positions on both front and back surfaces. The infrared light's ability to interact differently with the cloth material resolves the detection capability issue while maintaining detection system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visible light detection mechanism with an infrared light detection mechanism. This substitution fundamentally changes how the detection system interacts with the cloth medium, enabling transmission through the material rather than surface-only detection, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex additional hardware.
2Productivity
If a single printing head is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and manufacturing precision are insufficient for double-sided printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the printing function into two separate printing heads: one for printing on the front surface and another for printing on the back surface. This segmentation allows each head to be optimized for its specific printing task and enables simultaneous or sequential operation on both surfaces, significantly improving productivity for double-sided printing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing device is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating two printing heads that can handle both front and back surface printing. This universal design allows the single printing device to perform multiple printing operations without requiring separate equipment for each surface, enhancing productivity while maintaining integrated system control.
3Manufacturing precision
If cloth is transported without support, then the handling is simple, but the manufacturing precision and stability of printing position are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transport belt with an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the printing device and the cloth. This adhesive layer provides stable support and secure attachment of the cloth during transport and printing operations, preventing displacement and ensuring consistent positioning. The intermediary layer resolves the positioning accuracy issue while maintaining manageable 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
The solution enables precise alignment and printing of images on both surfaces of the cloth, improving the accuracy of double-sided printing by using infrared light to capture images through the cloth.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared image capturing section that uses infrared light to capture an image of a capture target provided on the first surface of the cloth being transported by the transport belt
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device 1 includes a transport belt 5 that transports a cloth M in a transport direction A in a state where a first surface M1 of the cloth M faces the adhesive layer 5a, printing section that print an image on a second surface M2 of the cloth M, which is an opposite side to the first surface M1 and which is transported by the transport belt 5, and an infrared image capturing section 30 that uses infrared light to capture an image of a capture target I formed on the first surface M1 of the cloth M that is transported by the transport belt 5, wherein the printing section has a first head 101 that is configured to eject an image forming ink for forming the image and a second head 102 that is configured to eject a capture target forming ink for forming the capture target I.