Digital Printing Conveyor With Rotatable Elements to Prevent Scratches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges in preventing surface damage, such as scratches, when conveying substrates between printing processes and to the output tray, particularly in duplex printing where images are printed on both sides.
Innovation Solution
A digital printing system incorporating a substrate conveyor with rotatable elements, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) balls mounted on axes, that rotate in response to physical contact with the substrate, providing minimal friction and mechanical support to prevent surface damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional fixed substrate conveyor elements are used, then substrate transport is achieved, but surface damage such as scratches occurs on printed substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed conveyor elements with rotatable elements (balls, cylinders, or rollers) that can rotate during substrate transport. This dynamic transformation allows the elements to adapt to substrate surface irregularities and reduce friction, preventing scratches while maintaining reliable substrate handling throughout the printing and conveying process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the physical state and motion characteristics of the conveyor elements. The rotatable elements change from static to dynamic state, altering friction parameters and contact mechanics with the substrate surface, thereby reducing harmful surface damage while preserving transport reliability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rotatable elements are introduced to reduce friction, then surface damage is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous conveyor surface into discrete rotatable elements (individual balls, cylinders, or rollers) spaced at intervals. This segmentation allows each element to rotate independently, reducing overall system complexity compared to a completely dynamic surface while still achieving scratch prevention through localized friction reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable elements serve as intermediaries between the fixed conveyor structure and the substrate surface. These elements mediate the interaction by providing a rotating contact interface that reduces friction and prevents scratches, while the underlying fixed structure maintains system simplicity and structural integrity
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 system effectively minimizes scratches on printed substrates by using rotatable elements with ink-repellent materials, ensuring high-quality image transfer and substrate handling without surface damage.
Implementation Method 1
the rotatable elements are configured to rotate in response to a physical contact with the target substrate... providing minimal friction and mechanical support
Implementation Method 2
one or more arrays of rotatable elements, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) balls... rotatable elements with ink-repellent materials
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A system (10) includes an intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44) and a substrate conveyor (80). The ITM (44) is configured to receive droplets of one or more printing fluids so as to form an image thereon, and to transfer the image to a target substrate (50). The substrate conveyor (80) is configured to grip and move the target substrate (50) to and from the ITM (44) for transferal of the image, the substrate conveyor (80) includes one or more rotatable elements (110, 200), which are configured to provide mechanical support to the target substrate (50), such that, when the target substrate (50) moves over the one or more rotatable elements (110, 200), at least one of the rotatable elements (110, 200) is configured to rotate in response to a physical contact with the target substrate (50).