Inkjet Printer Media Transport Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media transporting devices face difficulties in continuously applying tension to band-shaped media due to increased torque requirements as the medium diameter grows, leading to potential motor breakdowns and inability to maintain tension.
Innovation Solution
A media transporting device with a torque-limited motor and a transport controller that applies tension using a winding mechanism when the tension applying member's angle is outside a specific range, ensuring continuous tension application by limiting torque and using a torque limiter to prevent excessive load on the motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor generates power to wind the medium when the medium diameter becomes large, then the medium can be wound, but the torque required becomes excessively large causing motor breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the winding mechanism by detecting the angle of the tension applying member and adjusting motor operation accordingly. The system transitions between different operational states (winding, holding, unwinding) based on real-time angle detection, making the system adaptive to changing medium diameter conditions without overloading the motor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the angle detecting device continuously monitors the tension applying member's angle and provides information to the transport controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to adjust motor operation to maintain tension within acceptable ranges while preventing excessive torque application that would cause motor breakdown
2Reliability
If the motor stops generating power when the angle is within the specific range, then the motor is protected from breakdown, but the tension cannot be continuously applied on the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through cyclic unwinding and winding operations. When the medium diameter increases and the angle enters the specific range, the system temporarily stops winding and may perform controlled unwinding to reduce the angle back into the effective range. This periodic cycle of winding and controlled unwinding maintains continuous tension application while protecting the motor from excessive torque
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters dynamically by switching between different motor states (generating power, holding, reversing) based on the detected angle. When the angle exceeds the specific range, the system changes from a winding state to a holding or unwinding state, effectively using parameter changes to maintain tension continuity while avoiding motor overload
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 enables continuous tension application on band-shaped media for a longer duration than conventional techniques, suppressing motor load and extending its lifespan by adjusting torque and using a torque limiter to manage tension.
Implementation Method 1
a tension applying member that applies tension on the medium by pushing a portion of the medium that is not wound by the medium winding mechanism in a specific direction
Data Source
AI summary
A tension applying member of an inkjet printer can apply tension on a printing medium by pushing a portion of the printing medium that is not wound by a winding mechanism by its own weight in a rotating direction indicated with an arrow having an axis line as a center; a transport controller causes a motor to generate a power for winding the printing medium when a predetermined tension is no longer applied on the printing medium by the tension applying member; and the winding mechanism limits a torque with a torque limiter and applies a predetermined tension on the printing medium when the motor is caused to generate the power for winding the printing medium when the predetermined tension is no longer applied on the printing medium by the tension applying member.