Detection Belt Speed Tracking for Inkjet Recording Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the traveling speed of a feeder belt due to slit deformation, leading to inaccuracies in recording position and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a separate detection belt having detection marks at constant intervals, which is held in contact with the feeder belt using nip rollers, allowing for accurate detection of the feeder belt's speed without deformation, enabling precise adjustment of the recording position and ink ejection timings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detection belt is fixed to the feeder belt, then the detection belt can travel with the feeder belt, but the detection belt comes off at bent zones causing slit deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Nip rollers are introduced as intermediary components between the detection belt and feeder belt. The nip rollers press the detection belt against the feeder belt in the straight travel zone, enabling reliable contact and speed detection without permanently fixing the belts. This mediator allows the detection belt to be separated from the feeder belt, preventing the detection belt from coming off at bent zones while maintaining contact where needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If the slits are arranged at equal intervals on the feeder belt, then speed detection is simplified, but the slits deform when the belt is bent and stretched
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing slits directly on the feeder belt, the invention uses a detection belt with slits that copies the motion of the feeder belt. The detection belt is pressed against the feeder belt by nip rollers, so the slits on the detection belt move with the feeder belt without being directly subjected to its bending and stretching forces. This copying approach allows equal interval slit arrangement while maintaining dimensional accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the detection belt is made less stretchable than the feeder belt, then slit deformation is reduced, but the detection belt comes off the feeder belt at bent zones
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a static attachment (fixing the detection belt to the feeder belt) to a dynamic contact system using nip rollers. The detection belt is pressed against the feeder belt only in the straight travel zone where speed detection is needed, and can freely move or separate in bent zones. This dynamic approach allows the detection belt to maintain dimensional stability while preventing it from coming off permanently.
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 solution enhances the accuracy of feeder belt speed detection, resulting in improved image quality by ensuring the detection belt travels at the same speed as the feeder belt, reducing deformation and maintaining contact, thus allowing for precise control of the recording position and ink ejection.
Implementation Method 1
Each pair of the nip rollers cooperate with each other to nip the feeder belt and the detection belt together, at at least a part of the overlapping zone
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a recording apparatus including: feeder rollers including a drive roller; an endless feeder belt wound around the feeder rollers to be circulated around the feeder rollers by operation of the drive roller such that a path of circulation of the feeder belt includes a feeder-belt straight travel zone at which the feeder belt travels straight, the feeder belt feeding a recording medium; a plurality of detection rollers; an endless detection belt formed separately from the feeder belt and wound around the detection rollers such that the detection belt is circulated with the feeder belt by contacting the circulated feeder belt at at least a part of the feeder-belt straight travel zone which part constitutes an overlapping zone, the detection belt having detection marks arranged at constant intervals along an extending direction of the detection belt; at least one pair of nip rollers, each pair cooperating with each other to nip the feeder and detection belts together, at at least a part of the overlapping zone; a detecting device detecting the marks; and a recording portion recording an image on the recording medium as fed by the feeder belt, according to a result of the detection by the detecting device.