Output Roller Drying-Time Control for Duplex Print Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers often cause curl, cockle, reduced stiffness, and other distortions in printed media due to the absorption of printing fluid, leading to issues with duplex printing and user interference before the media is fully dry.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting the speed of the output roller based on the drying time of the print medium, allowing it to move slowly or stop during the drying process to indicate that the job is not complete, ensuring sufficient drying before proceeding to the next side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the output roller moves the print medium at normal speed, then productivity is improved, but the print medium may be distorted or user interference may occur before drying is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The output roller speed is dynamically adjusted based on drying time requirements. The system transitions from static fixed-speed operation to dynamic speed control, where the roller rotates at reduced speeds or pauses temporarily to allow printing fluid to dry, then resumes normal operation. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to real-time drying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational parameters of the output roller (rotation speed, pause duration) are changed based on the drying time of the printing fluid. The controller modifies these parameters to ensure proper drying before duplex printing or media handling, thereby maintaining print quality while minimizing productivity impact.
2Reliability
If the output roller waits for complete drying, then print quality is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial waiting action by pausing the output roller for only the necessary drying period rather than waiting for complete drying. This partial action is sufficient to prevent media distortion and user interference while minimizing the impact on productivity. The roller resumes operation once minimal drying is achieved, balancing quality and throughput.
3Manufacturing precision
If the output roller moves slowly or stops during drying, then media distortion is prevented, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The output roller operates in periodic cycles: moving at normal speed, then pausing or moving slowly to allow drying, then resuming normal speed. This periodic action pattern ensures media flatness is maintained during critical drying phases while minimizing overall productivity impact by quickly returning to normal operation when appropriate.
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
Prevents media distortion and user interference by ensuring proper drying, enabling seamless duplex printing and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
the media absorbing the printing fluid
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, the disclosure describes a printing device that includes a processor resource, and a non-transitory memory resource storing machine-readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the processor resource to: estimate a drying time of a print medium received at an output roller from a print zone, activate the output roller at a first speed to move the print medium to an output tray in response to receiving the print medium from the print zone, alter a direction of the output roller to move the print medium toward a turn roller at a second speed based on the drying time of the print medium, and stop the output roller to prevent the print medium from reaching the turn roller for a period of time based on the drying time.