Conveyance Control Device for Print Media Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

In print devices with conveyance units, heating units, and printers, the conveyance of print media through both heating units can lead to reduced productivity and increased energy consumption, especially when heating times are prolonged or heating temperatures need to be adjusted for different print media.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance control device that includes a conveyor, first and second heaters, a processor, and memory, which controls the conveyance of a platen with a print medium to either the first heater or the second heater based on processing instructions, optimizing heating operations to prevent productivity decline and energy wastage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the print medium passes through both heating units sequentially, then the heating effect is ensured, but the productivity deteriorates due to extended heating time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects which heating unit to use based on real-time conditions such as the type of print medium, required heating temperature, and current state of heating units. This dynamic selection allows the system to adapt between sequential and selective heating modes, optimizing both heating effectiveness and processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes operational parameters by selecting different heating units based on the specific heating requirements of different print media. This parameter change enables the system to adjust heating duration and intensity appropriately, avoiding unnecessary extended heating time while ensuring adequate heating effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the heating temperature is adjusted for different print media, then the heating precision is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to temperature changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different heating units are assigned to handle different types of print media based on their specific heating requirements. This local quality approach ensures that each print medium receives the precise heating temperature it needs without requiring the entire system to adjust, thereby reducing energy consumption associated with frequent temperature changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control device determines the appropriate heating unit in advance based on the type of print medium before the heating process begins. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-position the correct heating unit, avoiding energy-wasting temperature adjustments during the printing process while maintaining heating precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If one heating unit operates at higher temperature for different media types, then the adaptability is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to temperature rise

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating units, each capable of handling specific types of print media. This segmentation allows the system to provide high adaptability by selecting the appropriate heating unit for each medium type without requiring a single unit to operate at high temperatures for all media, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple heating units collectively provide universal heating capability for different print media types. Instead of one heating unit attempting to handle all media types at high temperature, the system distributes functionality across multiple units, achieving the same adaptability with lower energy consumption by selecting the most efficient unit for each specific task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively suppresses the deterioration of productivity and the increase in energy consumption by strategically directing the print medium to the most efficient heating unit, thereby enhancing operational efficiency in print devices.

Implementation Method 1

The first heater and the second heater are configured to execute a medium heating operation to heat the print medium on the platen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250108633A1Conveyance control device, conveyance control method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A conveyance control device includes a conveyor, a first heater and a second heater, and a processor. The conveyor conveys a platen on which a print medium is placed. The first heater and the second heater are connected to a printer. The printer performs printing on the print medium on the platen. The first heater and the second heater execute a medium heating operation to heat the print medium on the platen. The processor controls the conveyor and conveys a target platen to one of the first heater or the second heater. The target platen is the platen on which the print medium is placed and is a control target.