Electrostatic Film Support for Precise Printing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing devices face challenges in securely supporting and positioning sheet-like media like films, which tend to warp or float, leading to print quality issues and difficulty in placement due to methods like wetting with water or using adhesives, which can introduce moisture or alignment difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A supporting device with a static electricity generating section and a positioning reference section that overlaps with the film on the support surface, ensuring precise placement and adherence, using static electricity to stabilize the film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a friction member is disposed on the support surface to prevent medium movement, then the medium is prevented from moving relative to the support surface, but the film still warps or floats with respect to the support surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical friction-based positioning with an electrostatic positioning system. A grounding member connected to ground potential and a charging member that applies electrostatic force to the film enable precise positioning without relying on friction. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing reliable positioning through electromagnetic interaction rather than mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or properties of the support surface by introducing electrostatic parameters (grounding potential and charging capability). By controlling the electrostatic field parameters, the system achieves film stabilization and positioning without mechanical contact, overcoming the limitations of friction-based methods.
2Stability of the object's composition
If water is used to wet the back surface of the medium to prevent warping, then the film is prevented from warping, but water may enter the device and print quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid-based (water) film stabilization with an electrostatic field-based system. The grounding member and charging member create electrostatic forces that stabilize the film without introducing moisture, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of water contamination while maintaining film flatness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrostatic field as an intermediary between the support surface and the film. This intermediary enables film stabilization through electromagnetic interaction without direct liquid contact, preventing moisture from entering the device while maintaining film flatness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive tape is used to attach and fix the medium to the support surface, then the film is fixed to the support surface, but the positioning of the medium becomes difficult and removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive tape-based fixation with an electrostatic fixation system. The charging member applies controlled electrostatic forces to hold the film in position without mechanical adhesion, enabling easy positioning and removal. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing fixation through reversible electromagnetic interaction rather than permanent adhesive bonding.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a mat made of silicon is laid on the entire surface of the support surface to prevent warping, then the film is prevented from warping, but the positioning of the medium becomes difficult and the distance between support surface and printing section increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces silicon mat-based stabilization with an electrostatic field-based system. The grounding member and charging member create electrostatic forces that stabilize the film without requiring a physical mat, thereby maintaining positioning precision and avoiding increased distance between the support surface and printing section.
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 effectively prevents film warping and floating, allows easy alignment, and maintains print quality by using static electricity to secure the film on the support surface.
Implementation Method 1
a static electricity generating section (41) that generates static electricity at a static electricity generation location (41A, 41B) provided at a part of the support surface (4a)
Data Source
AI summary
A supporting device 2 includes a support section 4 configured to support films MA and MB on a support surface 4a, a static electricity generating section 41 configured to generate static electricity at a static electricity generation locations 41A and 41B provided at a part of the support surface 4a, and a positioning reference section 41 that is provided at the support surface 4a and that indicates at least a part of a placing position at which the films MA and MB, wherein the positioning reference section 41 is disposed in accordance with the predetermined shape such that a part of the films MA and MB and the static electricity generation locations 41A and 41B overlap each other in a support direction.