Curved Deflection Roller System for Compact Double-Sided Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing devices for sheet-shaped substrates are inefficient in terms of speed and space usage, particularly when printing on both sides, as they often require manual turning and occupy large areas due to the need for complete substrate alignment within the printing area.
Innovation Solution
A device with a deflection roller system that guides the substrate on a curved path, allowing for continuous printing on both sides using inkjet technology, with positioning and control systems to ensure precise printing and minimize misprints, while reducing the required installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the substrate is transported completely into the printing area for double-sided printing, then both sides can be printed, but the installation space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved deflection rollers that guide the substrate through a curved path, allowing the substrate to be turned over and printed on both sides within a compact printing area. The curvature enables space-efficient substrate routing without requiring large linear distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging deflection rollers at different heights and positions within the printing area. The substrate is guided through three-dimensional curved paths, transforming a two-dimensional printing area into a three-dimensional space-efficient layout that accommodates double-sided printing.
2Productivity
If manual turning of the substrate is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the printing speed decreases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection roller system automatically guides and turns the substrate through the printing area without requiring external manual intervention. The substrate's own movement and the roller configuration work together to achieve automatic orientation for double-sided printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection rollers serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the substrate and the printing process. These rollers facilitate automatic substrate turning and positioning, enabling high-speed double-sided printing while managing the complexity through standardized mechanical components.
3Area of stationary object
If the substrate is guided on a curved path through deflection rollers, then space is reduced and continuous printing is enabled, but the substrate must be flexible and precise positioning becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors and control systems that monitor the substrate's position and orientation as it moves through the curved path. Real-time feedback enables dynamic adjustment of printing parameters and substrate positioning to maintain precision despite the curved guidance path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts printing parameters such as printhead position, inkjet firing timing, and substrate feed rate based on the substrate's location in the curved path. These parameter changes compensate for the challenges of curved guidance and maintain manufacturing precision.
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
Enables rapid, efficient printing on both sides of flexible substrates with reduced space requirements, improving productivity and print quality by allowing continuous substrate flow and precise positioning of printing modules.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one inkjet printhead (20, 21) is each designed and/or arranged such that droplets of printing material are applied onto the substrate (2) in the form of an aerosol
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for printing onto a curved substrate (2), wherein the device comprises at least one printing module (3-5), at least one first deflection roller (6) to transport the substrate and at least one feed device, wherein the substrate (2) can be fed to the first deflection roller (6) by means of the feed device, wherein the at least one printing module (3-5) is arranged in such a manner that a first side of the substrate (2) can be printed onto in a portion of the substrate (2), which portion lies against the deflection roller (6) or is arranged in a feed portion; and a method for printing onto a curved substrate.