Drive Roller Torque Control for Recording Medium Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording devices experience tension fluctuations and positional precision issues due to slipping between drive rollers and recording media, leading to unstable transportation and inaccurate ink placement.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves controlling the torque of the second drive roller to maintain consistent tension in the recording medium, rather than relying on a velocity difference between drive rollers, and using tension detection to adjust torque based on the medium's tension distribution, especially near the support member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the circumferential velocity of the downstream side drive roller is set to be slightly faster than the upstream side drive roller to give tension to the recording medium, then the recording medium is transported, but slipping occurs between the drive roller and the recording medium, causing tension fluctuation and unstable transport
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from circumferential velocity difference to torque control. By controlling the torque of the downstream drive roller based on detected tension, the system maintains reliable transport without slipping, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where a detection unit measures the tension of the recording medium, and the control unit adjusts the torque of the downstream drive roller based on this detection. This closed-loop control ensures stable transport by continuously correcting tension deviations, preventing slipping and improving reliability.
2Speed
If tension is given to the recording medium by creating a velocity difference between drive rollers, then transport is achieved, but the ink impact position fluctuates and image recording positional precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from velocity difference to torque control. By controlling the torque of the downstream drive roller based on detected tension, the system maintains consistent tension during transport, preventing ink impact position fluctuations and ensuring high image recording positional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where a detection unit measures the tension of the recording medium, and the control unit adjusts the torque of the downstream drive roller based on this detection. This closed-loop control ensures stable transport and consistent ink impact position, improving image recording precision.
3Reliability
If the torque of the second drive roller is controlled based on tension detection results, then tension fluctuation is suppressed and stable transport is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to addition of detection unit and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism with a detection unit and control unit to monitor and adjust tension. While this improves transport stability, it does increase device complexity. The principle is applied to achieve reliable tension control through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
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 stabilizes the transportation of the recording medium, ensuring high positional precision and reducing tension fluctuations, even with temperature variations caused by photo curing ink, thereby improving image recording accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
by controlling the torque of the second drive roller, tension is given to the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
for which the recording unit is an image recording device that ejects as the liquid a photo curing ink that is cured by light
Implementation Method 3
that is further equipped with a light radiating unit that radiates light on the ink ejected onto the recording medium from the recording unit
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
To suppress tension fluctuation in a recording medium, and to make it possible to record an image on a recording medium with high positioning precision, the invention is equipped with a transport unit that transports a recording medium from a first drive roller to a second drive roller by rotating a first drive roller and a second drive roller across which a recording medium is stretched, a support member that supports the recording medium between the first drive roller and the second drive roller, a recording unit that ejects liquid on the recording medium supported on the support member and records an image, a detection unit that detects tension of the recording medium moving toward the second drive roller away from the support member, and a control unit that gives tension to the recording medium by controlling the torque of the second drive roller based on the recording medium tension detected by the detection unit.