Composite Consumable for Thermal Transfer Printer Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thermal transfer printers require separate supply devices for thermal transfer ribbons and printing media, resulting in a large footprint and complex installation process, which is undesirable for handheld/mobile printers.
Innovation Solution
A thermal transfer printer with a composite consumable made by winding the thermal transfer ribbon and printing media together around a common core, using a consumable supplying device with a thermal print head, platen roller, motor, and printing control device to simplify installation and reduce space requirements, along with a torque limiter, rotary mechanism, usage monitoring sensor, RFID module, and low consumable alarm for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate supply devices for thermal transfer ribbon and printing media are used, then the printer can maintain flexible matching of different consumables, but the printer footprint becomes large and installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal transfer ribbon and printing media into a single integrated consumable unit. The ribbon is wound around a core with the printing media, forming a composite structure that is supplied as one unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate supply devices while maintaining the ability to match different ribbon and media types through selective combination during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated consumable unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores both the thermal transfer ribbon and printing media, provides synchronized feeding to the printing mechanism, and eliminates the need for separate supply devices. This multi-functionality reduces the overall printer footprint while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate supply devices for thermal transfer ribbon and printing media are used, then the printer can maintain flexible matching of different consumables, but the installation process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the ribbon and media into a single integrated unit with a common core, the installation process is simplified from installing two separate components to installing one unified consumable. This reduces installation complexity while maintaining the flexibility to match different consumable types through pre-configured combinations.
3Ease of manufacture
If thermal transfer ribbon and printing media are supplied separately, then production cost is low, but the printer requires large space for consumables installation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal transfer ribbon is nested around a core that is itself nested within the printing media structure. This nested configuration allows both consumables to be stored in a compact, space-efficient manner within a single integrated unit, significantly reducing the volume required for consumables installation compared to separate storage.
4Volume of stationary object
If thermal transfer ribbon and printing media are wound together around a common core, then the printer volume is reduced and installation is simplified, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ribbon and media into a single integrated consumable with a common core, reducing printer volume by eliminating separate supply devices. The structural complexity is managed through a straightforward winding configuration where the ribbon is simply wrapped around the core with media, avoiding overly complex design elements.
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 reduces the printer's volume, simplifies installation, and enhances user experience by eliminating the need for separate consumable supply devices, while ensuring efficient printing and consumable management through integrated monitoring and authentication systems.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal print head configured to heat an ink on the thermal transfer ribbon and to print heated ink onto the surface of the printing media
Implementation Method 2
a platen roller configured to drive the composite consumable to pass through a printing area of the thermal print head
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal transfer printer and a composite consumable thereof and a method for supplying such composite consumable to the thermal transfer printer are disclosed. The consumable supplying device is installed with a composite consumable which is made by winding a thermal transfer ribbon and a printing media together around a common core with the ink side of the thermal transfer ribbon facing the surface of the printing media. Accordingly, just one consumable supplying device rather than two different consumable supplying devices as in existing thermal transfer printers should be arranged to provide the thermal transfer ribbon and the printing media to the thermal transfer printer at the same time. In such a way, the internal space of the thermal transfer printer can be effectively saved, which significantly reduces the volume of the thermal transfer printer.