Mode-Switching Print Medium Feeding for High-Speed Tension Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in achieving high printing speed while maintaining the responsiveness of dancer rollers, requiring complex sensor configurations to finely control transport speed.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a feeding-side movable roller and a front drive roller, controlled by a control unit, switches between print and continuous transport modes to manage feeding amount and speed, enhancing tension control without increasing sensor complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the medium transport speed is increased to improve printing speed, then productivity is improved, but the responsiveness of the dancer roller deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the feeding roller's control mode switchable between print mode and continuous transport mode. The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on operational requirements, allowing the feeding roller to be controlled by feeding amount during printing and by feeding speed during continuous transport, thereby maintaining dancer roller responsiveness even at higher transport speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter of the feeding roller based on the operational mode. In print mode, the feeding amount is controlled; in continuous transport mode, the feeding speed is controlled. This parameter switching allows the system to optimize performance for different operations while maintaining dancer roller responsiveness
2Measurement precision
If the number of sensors is increased to finely control transport speed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for multiple sensors by utilizing the existing dancer roller position detection capability. Instead of adding numerous sensors to achieve fine transport speed control, the system leverages the dancer roller's inherent position detection to infer and control transport parameters, thereby achieving precise control without increasing sensor 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
This approach allows for stable and efficient medium transport at higher speeds, improving printing performance while reducing the need for extensive sensor networks.
Implementation Method 1
a feeding-side movable roller in a feeding-side buffer region positioned between the feeding roller and the printing unit, the feeding-side movable roller being configured to apply tension to the print medium
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a printing unit; a feeding roller that feeds a print medium; a feeding-side movable roller that applies tension to the print medium, in a feeding-side buffer region positioned between the feeding roller and the printing unit; a front drive roller that is positioned between the feeding-side buffer region and the printing unit and with which the print medium is intermittently transported; and a control unit that controls feeding by the feeding roller. Control amounts controlled by the control unit include a feeding amount and a feeding speed of the feeding by the feeding roller. The control unit is configured to execute and switch between a print mode and a continuous transport mode, controls the feeding amount of the feeding roller when the print mode is executed, and controls the feeding speed of the feeding roller when the continuous transport mode is executed.