Laser Print Head and Reactive Media for Ribbon-Free Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face inefficiencies in printing speed, cost, and media compatibility, particularly in laser printing processes, due to reliance on thermal print ribbons and limited media handling capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus utilizing laser print heads and reactive media, capable of direct printing with laser beams, supports various media types and reduces costs by eliminating thermal print ribbons, with features like movable chassis portions for media handling and precise roller control for improved print quality and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If thermal print ribbons are used in laser printing processes, then printing cost is reduced, but printing speed and media compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes thermal print ribbons from the printing system, extracting the problematic intermediate medium that limited printing speed and media compatibility. The laser beam directly exposes the photopolymer layer on the drum, eliminating the thermal ribbon transfer process entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical printing system with an optical system. Instead of using thermal energy to transfer ink from ribbons, the system uses laser beams to directly expose and cure photopolymer material on the printing drum, achieving faster speeds and broader media compatibility.
2Loss of substance
If thermal print ribbons are used in laser printing processes, then printing cost is reduced, but media compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes thermal print ribbons from the printing system, extracting the problematic intermediate medium that limited media compatibility. The laser beam directly exposes the photopolymer layer on the drum, eliminating the thermal ribbon transfer process entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental printing parameter from thermal energy transfer to optical exposure. This parameter change enables direct laser exposure of photopolymer material, allowing compatibility with various media types including plastics, metals, and ceramics that cannot be processed with thermal ribbons.
3Device complexity
If rollers stop simultaneously in printing apparatus, then media handling is simplified, but print quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary differential stopping control where the first roller stops before the second roller. This preliminary action allows the media to continue moving briefly, ensuring complete printing coverage and preventing defects at the transition point between rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic differential stopping where rollers are stopped at different times in a controlled sequence. This periodic timing adjustment ensures that the media is properly positioned and tensioned during the printing process, maintaining high print quality while managing system complexity.
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 apparatus achieves fast printing speeds, reduced operational costs, and enhanced media compatibility, enabling high-resolution printing on diverse media types with improved media handling and reduced reliance on thermal components.
Implementation Method 1
a data writing section where content is printed on the recording sheet... heating the recording sheet at a pre-printing heating region... the recording sheet is further heated at a post-printing heating and fusing region
Implementation Method 2
air introduced from an exhaust fan 50 is blown into a data writing section... so that not only the vapor generated from the recording sheet during the heating and the vapor generated from the ink during the printing are eliminated, but also a recording head 40 is cooled
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure relate generally to a printing apparatus and, more particularly, to apparatuses, systems, and methods for printing utilizing laser print head and reactive media.