Transparent Media Inspection Rollers That Suppress Reflected Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in accurately inspecting images on transparent printing media due to strong reflections from silver-colored transport rollers, which interfere with the photographic device and impair precise inspection.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves equipping the transport rollers with light-absorbing members, such as black tapes or needle-like constructions with recesses and projections, to absorb light emitted by the light-emitting device, thereby reducing reflections and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silver-colored transport rollers are used, then transportation function is achieved, but strong reflections occur that cause noise for the photographic device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation functionVSAvoidreflected light noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light-absorbing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the transport roller. This member absorbs the light before it can reflect off the silver-colored roller surface, thereby eliminating the harmful reflections while preserving the transportation function of the roller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-absorbing member converts the potentially harmful reflected light into absorbed light energy. By strategically placing this member, the system transforms what would be a source of noise into a beneficial light-absorbing function, eliminating reflections while maintaining transport capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If light-emitting device is added for inspection, then inspection accuracy is improved, but reflected light from transport rollers causes noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidreflected light noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light-absorbing member serves as a mediator that allows the light-emitting device to function effectively for inspection purposes while preventing its light from creating harmful reflections off the transport rollers. This enables accurate inspection without the noise problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-absorbing member performs preliminary action by absorbing the light from the light-emitting device before it can reach the transport roller and create reflections. This preventive measure ensures that when inspection is performed, only the desired light paths are active, eliminating noise interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If light-absorbing member is added to transport roller, then reflected light noise is suppressed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereflected light noiseVSAvoidroller structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-absorbing member is segmented into a separate component that can be independently attached to the transport roller. This segmentation allows the absorption function to be added without redesigning the entire roller structure, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively suppressing reflections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire roller complex, the light-absorbing member is applied locally to the specific areas where light reflection occurs. This localized approach adds the necessary noise-suppressing functionality only where needed, keeping the rest of the roller structure simple and maintaining overall device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach allows for accurate inspection by suppressing noise from reflected light, maintaining durability, and being cost-effective with easy applicability to existing apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

the first transport roller and the second transport roller have outer circumferential surfaces thereof each with a light absorbing member for absorbing the light from the light emitting device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20260054502A1Inspecting apparatus, and an inkjet printing apparatus having the same

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD

AI summary

An inspecting apparatus for inspecting print images printed on a transparent printing medium. The apparatus includes a first transport roller for transporting the transparent printing medium; a second transport roller spaced from the first transport roller, and disposed downstream in a transport direction, for transporting the transparent printing medium; a photographing device for photographing the print images located in an inspection area; and a light emitting device for emitting light for photographing the print images located in the inspection area. The first transport roller and second transport roller have outer circumferential surfaces thereof each with a light absorbing member for absorbing the light from the light emitting device.