Duplex Thermal Printing With Pivotable Diverter

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 pivotable diverter, a single thermal printhead, and a cutter, which allows for the efficient printing on both sides of the receiver media by pivoting the diverter to alternate positions and using a single cutter for both cutting and trimming, reducing the need for additional components and mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduplex printing capabilityVSAvoidnumber of printheads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver media supply roll is made dynamically repositionable, allowing it to be rotated from a first position to a second position. This dynamic repositioning enables the same single printhead to access both sides of the media for duplex printing, eliminating the need for two fixed printheads and reducing device complexity while maintaining duplex printing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single thermal printhead is designed to perform multiple functions by printing on both the first side and second side of the receiver media. The printhead remains stationary while the media supply roll repositions, allowing the same component to serve dual purposes for front and back printing, thereby reducing component count and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanisms are used to reposition receiver media supply roll, then duplex printing is enabled, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduplex printing capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver media supply roll is designed with simple rotational movement capability, allowing it to pivot between two positions. This dynamic repositioning mechanism is more compact than complex media handling systems, enabling duplex printing in a smaller device footprint while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are used for duplex printing, then printing functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduplex printing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single thermal printhead is designed to perform multiple functions by printing on both the first side and second side of the receiver media. The printhead remains stationary while the media supply roll repositions, allowing the same component to serve dual purposes for front and back printing, thereby reducing component count and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver media supply roll is made dynamically repositionable, allowing it to be rotated from a first position to a second position. This dynamic repositioning enables the same single printhead to access both sides of the media for duplex printing, eliminating the need for two fixed printheads and reducing device complexity while maintaining duplex printing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduced cost and size compared to duplex printing systems with multiple printheads or complex turning mechanisms, enabling compact and cost-effective duplex printing while maintaining image quality.

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.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal dye sublimation: Sublimation

Data Source

PatentEP3036109B1Duplex thermal printing system with pivotable diverter

Publication Date: 2017.03.01 KODAK ALARIS INC

AI summary

A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising a supply roll of receiver media, a printing path, a reversing path, a pivotable diverter and a cutter positioned between the diverter and the reversing path is disclosed herein. When the diverter is in a first position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll, when the diverter is in a second position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll into the reversing path, and when the diverter is in the third position the receiver media is directed from the reversing path into the printing path. During a printing operation, the diverter is sequentially repositioned to feed the receiver media into the printing path where a first side image is printed, into the reversing path where it is cut, and into the printing path again where a second side image is printed.