Roll-fed Duplex Thermal Printing System with Media Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roll-fed thermal printing systems struggle to produce duplex images efficiently, as they often require two thermal printheads or complex mechanisms to reposition the receiver media, leading to increased cost and size.
Innovation Solution
A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system with a diverter mechanism that reverses the thermal imaging receiver to allow both sides of the substrate to be printed using a single thermal printhead, along with a donor ribbon and cutter system to manage the media effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two thermal printheads are used to print both sides of the receiver media, then duplex printing capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two printheads to print both sides simultaneously, the patent uses a single printhead and inverts the receiver media after printing one side. The diverter redirects the media path and the turn roller flips the media over, allowing the same printhead to print on the opposite side, thereby achieving duplex printing with half the number of printheads.
Solution Approach 2:
A single thermal printhead performs the function of both first-side and second-side printing. The printhead is reused for both sides of the receiver media through the media inversion mechanism, making the printhead multi-functional and eliminating the need for dedicated printheads for each side.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a turning mechanism is used to reposition the supply roll between recto and verso printing, then duplex printing is enabled, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the receiver media after printing one side using a diverter and turn roller mechanism. The diverter redirects the media path and the turn roller flips the media over, allowing the same printhead to print on the opposite side without requiring a large turning mechanism for the entire supply roll.
Solution Approach 2:
The media handling system is segmented into distinct functional components: a diverter that redirects the media path, a turn roller that flips the media, and a cutter that separates sheets. This segmentation allows each component to be compact and focused on a single task, reducing the overall printer size compared to a monolithic turning mechanism.
3Device complexity
If a diverter and reversing path are implemented to enable single printhead duplex printing, then device complexity is reduced, but media handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the media supply and the printing path. It redirects the media flow based on whether first-side or second-side printing is needed, simplifying the control logic and making media handling more straightforward despite the added path complexity.
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 solution reduces costs and printer size by enabling duplex printing with a single printhead and simpler media handling, while maintaining compactness and efficiency.
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
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising of receiver media, a printing path, a reversing path, a diverter and a c positioned between the supply roll and the reversing path. When the a first position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll or t path into the printing path. When the diverter is in a second position t media is directed from the supply roll into the reversing path. During operation, the diverter is positioned in the first position and the receiv fed into the printing path where a first side image is printed. The dive repositioned the receiver media is fed into the reversing path where it diverter is then repositioned again and the receiver media is fed into t path where a second side image is printed.