Electromagnetic Clutch Control for Drying and Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In recording devices, sheets with images that are not fully dried due to deformation can lead to image quality issues as they are rubbed during storage, causing the image quality to degrade.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a first roller pair for conveying a continuous medium, a printing head for image formation, a cutting unit for cutting the medium, a second roller pair for further conveying, and an electromagnetic clutch mechanism to control power transmission to the second roller pair, allowing for reverse conveying and precise control of the medium's position to enhance drying and prevent sheet jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet is stored in the sheet storage mechanism immediately after printing, then productivity is improved, but the image quality deteriorates due to rubbing of undried images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a drying period before storage. The sheet is conveyed through a drying section where the image is allowed to dry completely before being stored in the sheet storage mechanism. This preliminary drying action prevents the image quality deterioration that would occur if storage happened immediately after printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary drying section between the printing section and the sheet storage mechanism. This intermediary section provides a controlled environment for drying, including drying rollers and a dust-free atmosphere, preventing direct contact between undried sheets and the storage mechanism that would cause image rubbing.
2Productivity
If the sheet is conveyed continuously without stopping, then productivity is improved, but the image quality deteriorates due to insufficient drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent conveying with periodic stopping. The sheet is conveyed through the printing section, then stopped in the drying section to allow complete drying, and only then conveyed to storage. This periodic stop-convey-stop pattern ensures thorough drying while maintaining overall productivity through efficient use of drying time.
3Productivity
If the sheet is conveyed at high speed, then productivity is improved, but sheet jamming occurs due to deformation of undried sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring complete drying of the sheet before high-speed conveying to storage. The drying section operates at controlled speeds with periodic stopping to guarantee thorough drying, preventing deformation and jamming during subsequent high-speed conveying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic speed control, adjusting conveying speeds at different sections. The printing section operates at one speed, the drying section uses slower intermittent conveying with stopping periods, and the storage section can operate at high speed once drying is complete. This dynamic adaptation of speed to drying needs prevents jamming while maintaining productivity.
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 ensures improved image quality by promoting drying of the printed images and preventing sheet jamming, allowing for efficient and high-quality printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch mechanism configured to cut power from the driving source to the second roller pair, wherein the clutch mechanism is an electromagnetic mechanism that releases transmission of the power by electromagnetism
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a first roller pair that sandwiches and conveys a continuous medium, a printing head that is located downstream of the first roller pair in a conveying direction of the continuous medium and that performs printing on the continuous medium, a cutting unit that is located downstream of the printing head in the conveying direction of the continuous medium and that cuts the continuous medium, a second roller pair that is located downstream of the cutting unit in the conveying direction of the continuous medium and that sandwiches and conveys the continuous medium, a common driving source that applies driving force to the first roller pair and the second roller pair, and a clutch mechanism configured to cut power from the driving source to the second roller pair, wherein the clutch mechanism is an electromagnetic mechanism that releases transmission of the power by electromagnetism.