Continuous Thermal Transfer for Retransfer Printer Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face limitations in accelerating image formation speed without degrading image quality, as high thermal head temperatures can lead to ink film deformation or welding to the transfer target, restricting the potential for faster image creation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs an ink ribbon with multiple color ink layers and a thermal head that transfers inks to a transfer target in a specific sequence, allowing continuous transfer operations without rewinding or cueing, thereby reducing image formation time while maintaining quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the temperature of the thermal head is raised to accelerate image formation, then the image forming speed is improved, but the image quality deteriorates due to ink film deformation or welding to the transfer target
Solution Approach 1:
The ink ribbon is pre-positioned and aligned with the transfer target before the thermal transfer process begins. The ink layers are pre-coated on the ribbon in the correct sequence and orientation, so that when transfer occurs, the first ink layer automatically transfers to the first transfer region without requiring intermediate rewinding or repositioning operations. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming intermediate steps while maintaining consistent thermal transfer conditions for high quality images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous thermal transfer operations by maintaining the ink ribbon in a fixed position and sequentially transferring multiple ink layers to multiple transfer regions without interruption. The thermal head continuously applies heat to transfer inks from the first through n-th ink layers to corresponding transfer regions in sequence, eliminating the stop-start nature of conventional methods that require rewinding and repositioning between transfers. This continuous operation accelerates image formation while preserving image quality through consistent thermal conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional transfer methods are used with sequential color transfers, then image quality is maintained, but the image forming time is extended due to repeated rewinding and cueing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The ink ribbon is pre-positioned and aligned with the transfer target before the thermal transfer process begins. The ink layers are pre-coated on the ribbon in the correct sequence and orientation, so that when transfer occurs, the first ink layer automatically transfers to the first transfer region without requiring intermediate rewinding or repositioning operations. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming intermediate steps while maintaining consistent thermal transfer conditions for high quality images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous thermal transfer operations by maintaining the ink ribbon in a fixed position and sequentially transferring multiple ink layers to multiple transfer regions without interruption. The thermal head continuously applies heat to transfer inks from the first through n-th ink layers to corresponding transfer regions in sequence, eliminating the stop-start nature of conventional methods that require rewinding and repositioning between transfers. This continuous operation accelerates image formation while preserving image quality through consistent thermal conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the ink ribbon is repeatedly rewound and cued for each color transfer, then proper alignment is maintained, but the operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ink ribbon is pre-positioned and aligned with the transfer target before the thermal transfer process begins. The ink layers are pre-coated on the ribbon in the correct sequence and orientation, so that when transfer occurs, the first ink layer automatically transfers to the first transfer region without requiring intermediate rewinding or repositioning operations. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming intermediate steps while maintaining consistent thermal transfer conditions for high quality images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous thermal transfer operations by maintaining the ink ribbon in a fixed position and sequentially transferring multiple ink layers to multiple transfer regions without interruption. The thermal head continuously applies heat to transfer inks from the first through n-th ink layers to corresponding transfer regions in sequence, eliminating the stop-start nature of conventional methods that require rewinding and repositioning between transfers. This continuous operation accelerates image formation while preserving image quality through consistent thermal conditions.
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 enables faster image formation without the quality degradation associated with high thermal head temperatures, as the continuous transfer method maintains consistent transfer speed and reduces the need for rewinding and cueing operations, enhancing overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head configured to bring the ink ribbon and the first transfer target into pressure contact with the platen roller, and configured to transfer the inks of the ink ribbons to the first transfer target
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a platen roller, an ink ribbon, a transfer target, a thermal head, and a controller. When continuous n-spot transfer regions set on the transfer target are named as first to n-th (n is an integer of 2 or more) transfer regions in a reverse direction to an alignment sequence of first to n-th ink layers, the controller executes transfer operations of transferring inks of first to k-th (1≦k≦n) ink layers to the n-spot transfer regions by using first to n-th ink sets from k=1 to k=n. By the transfer operations, a color image to which n-color inks are transferred is formed on the first transfer region.