Dual Suction Path Tablet Printing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tablet printing apparatuses using inkjet print heads, airflow generated by incomplete suction of tablets on conveyor belts leads to degraded print quality due to ink misalignment and ejection failures, while reducing suction force to mitigate this causes positional deviations and conveyor belt instability.
Innovation Solution
A dual suction path system where the first suction path holds tablets and conveyor belts, and a second suction path maintains conveyor belt stability independently, with a suction force adjuster to gradually reduce suction force specifically under the print head to minimize airflow and positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction force is increased to hold tablets firmly on the conveyor belt, then tablet holding reliability is improved, but airflow is generated causing inkjet printing quality to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suction path is divided into two separate paths: a first suction path for holding tablets and a second suction path for supporting the conveyor belt. This segmentation allows independent control of suction forces, enabling strong tablet holding without generating harmful airflow that affects printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different suction forces are applied to different objects (tablets vs. conveyor belt) through separate suction paths. The first suction path applies strong suction to tablets for reliable holding, while the second suction path applies appropriate suction to the conveyor belt for stable support, achieving local optimization of suction quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If suction force is reduced to minimize airflow and improve printing quality, then printing quality is improved, but conveyor belt stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into two independent paths: the first suction path for tablets and the second suction path for the conveyor belt. This allows the conveyor belt to receive dedicated suction support through the second path, maintaining stability even when the first path uses reduced suction force to minimize airflow and improve printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The second suction path acts as an intermediary that provides dedicated support to the conveyor belt, decoupling the conveyor belt stability from the tablet holding suction force. This intermediary path ensures the conveyor belt remains stable while allowing the first suction path to be optimized for printing quality.
3Reliability
If suction force is reduced to prevent ink scattering and improve print quality, then inkjet ejection reliability is improved, but tablet holding force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is divided into two independent paths, allowing the first suction path to use reduced suction force during printing to prevent ink scattering and improve inkjet ejection reliability, while the second suction path compensates by providing dedicated support to the conveyor belt, maintaining overall system 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
This configuration stabilizes the conveyor belt, maintains print quality by reducing airflow and positional deviations, and increases the non-defective product rate to 99.7% by ensuring consistent inkjet ejection and conveyor belt stability.
Implementation Method 1
a suction path configured to suck the tablet on the conveyor belt to hold the tablet on the conveyor belt and suck the conveyor belt while allowing the conveyor belt to convey the tablet
Implementation Method 2
printing is performed by ejecting ink from the print head toward the tablet such that the ink hits on the surface of the tablet
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a tablet printing apparatus includes: a conveyor belt configured to convey a tablet; a first suction path configured to suck the tablet to hold the tablet on the conveyor belt and suck the conveyor belt while allowing the conveyor belt to convey the tablet; a second suction path configured as a different path from the first suction path to suck only the conveyor belt while allowing the conveyor belt to convey the tablet; and a printer configured to perform printing on the tablet conveyed by the conveyor belt.