Roll-fed Duplex Thermal Printer Diverter Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roll-fed thermal printing systems are costly and bulky when designed for duplex printing, often requiring two thermal printheads or complex mechanisms to reposition the receiver media for printing on both sides, which increases size and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system with a diverter mechanism that reverses the receiver media within the printing path, allowing a single thermal printhead to print on both sides using a single donor ribbon, and utilizing a cutter for trimming, thereby reducing costs and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two thermal printheads are used for duplex printing, then printing capability on both sides is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two printheads to print both sides simultaneously or sequentially, the invention uses a single printhead and inverts the receiver media between printing passes. The receiver media is printed on one side, then inverted and fed back through the same printhead to print the other side, effectively using the printhead in reverse orientation for duplex printing.
Solution Approach 2:
A single thermal printhead is made to perform the function of two printheads by printing on both sides of the receiver media. The printhead prints on the first side during a forward pass, then the media is inverted and the same printhead prints on the second side during a return pass, making the printhead universal for both sides of the media.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex repositioning mechanisms are used to print both sides, then duplex printing is achieved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The printing paths for both sides of the receiver media are merged into a single compact path. The media travels through the printhead, is inverted by a simple roller mechanism, and returns through the same printhead area, combining what would traditionally require separate printing stations into one integrated space.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversing mechanism is nested within the existing printing path structure. The inversion roller and diverter are integrated into the media transport path rather than requiring external repositioning mechanisms, allowing the duplex function to be nested within the single-sided printing architecture.
3Device complexity
If a single printhead is used with receiver media reversal, then device complexity is reduced, but media handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver media is designed with self-reversing capability through its physical structure. The media naturally feeds through the inversion roller and diverter mechanism without requiring external intervention, and the system automatically manages the reversal process through coordinated roller rotation and diverter positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
A diverter mechanism acts as an intermediary between the forward and reverse printing paths. The diverter smoothly redirects the media from the forward path to the reversing path and back, mediating the transition and simplifying the control logic by providing a dedicated component for path switching.
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 achieves cost-effective and compact duplex printing by eliminating the need for dual printheads and complex repositioning mechanisms, enabling efficient printing on both sides of the receiver media with reduced operational complexity and size.
Implementation Method 1
In thermal dye sublimation printing, it is generally well known to render images by heating and pressing one or more donor materials such as a colorant (e.g., a dye) or other coating against a receiver medium having a colorant receiving layer. The heat is generally supplied by a thermal printhead having an array of heating elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising a supply roll of receiver media, a printing path, a reversing path, a diverter and a cutter positioned between the diverter and the reversing path. When the diverter is in a first position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll or the reversing path into the printing path. When the diverter is in a second position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll into the reversing path. During a printing operation, the diverter is positioned in the first position and the receiver media is fed into the printing path where a first side image is printed. The diverter is then repositioned the receiver media is fed into the reversing path where it is cut. The diverter is then repositioned again and the receiver media is fed into the printing path where a second side image is printed.