Duplex Printing Decurling Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses lack a mechanism for effective curl correction during duplex printing, particularly when reversing the sheet for back face printing, which can lead to curling issues and potential contact with the print head.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus equipped with a decurling mechanism using a decurling roller and pinch rollers to correct curling in both directions, ensuring curl correction is common for front and back face printing, and includes a compact decurling device capable of handling sheets from different directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sheet wound in a rolled state is fed to the print unit, then the sheet can be supplied continuously, but curling occurs causing the leading edge to contact the print head
Solution Approach 1:
The decurling unit performs curl correction in advance before the sheet enters the print unit. The decurling roller applies corrective force to the leading edge of the sheet, eliminating curling before printing occurs, thus preventing contact with the print head while maintaining continuous sheet supply
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet is taken up on a reel for duplex printing, then back face printing becomes possible, but new curling is applied in the taking up direction
Solution Approach 1:
The decurling unit is designed as a universal component that handles sheets from both the sheet feeding unit (front face printing) and the reverse unit (back face printing). The same decurling roller and pinch roller mechanism corrects curling regardless of the sheet's source or direction, enabling reliable duplex printing
3Reliability
If separate decurling mechanisms are provided for front face and back face printing, then curl correction can be performed for both directions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single decurling unit with a decurling roller and pinch rollers serves both front face and back face printing operations. The unit processes sheets from either direction through the same mechanical components, eliminating the need for separate decurling mechanisms while maintaining effective curl correction for both printing sides
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the decurling functions for front face and back face printing into one integrated unit. The decurling roller and pinch rollers work together in a single mechanism that handles both printing directions, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring comprehensive curl correction
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 solution enables effective curl correction for duplex printing, preventing sheet curling and ensuring reliable operation by applying decurling force in both directions, thus enhancing printing quality and safety by avoiding print head contact.
Implementation Method 1
a decurling roller, a first pinch roller, and a second pinch roller and a third pinch roller on both sides of the first pinch roller, which are each disposed around the decurling roller, and are capable of forming a nipped state with the decurling roller
Data Source
AI summary
With front face printing, the sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit is led into a nipped position between a first pinch roller and a decurling roller from a first direction, and is discharged by decurling force being applied thereto at the decurling roller. On the other hand, the sheet fed from a reverse unit is led into the nipped position from a second direction opposite to the first direction, and is discharged by decurling force being applied thereto at the decurling roller.