Thermal Transfer Paper Feed Control for De-Curling Roll Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal transfer printers face challenges in efficiently controlling the feeding and transfer path of printing paper, particularly in unwinding, de-curling, and providing evenly unrolled paper for printing, especially when using roll-type cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A paper feeding control device with a driving gear, cams, and brackets that interlock with a motor to control the feeding and transfer path of printing paper, including a driving shaft, driven rotating plate, shaft gear, idle gear, and cams to manage the platen and pressurizing rollers, ensuring proper paper alignment and de-curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If roll-type printing paper is wound on a cartridge and fed through the thermal transfer printer, then continuous printing is enabled, but a curl is formed on the printing paper in the winding direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing de-curling treatment before the printing process. The printing paper passes through a de-curler one or more times after being unwound from the cartridge but before reaching the thermal print head, thereby removing the curl formed during winding and ensuring the paper is evenly unrolled for accurate printing.
2Shape
If de-curling is performed by passing the printing paper through a de-curler one or more times, then the printing paper is provided evenly unrolled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the de-curling function with the existing paper feed mechanism. The de-curler is integrated into the paper path between the cartridge and thermal print head, utilizing the same mechanical drive system (driving shaft, gears, and cams) that controls paper feeding. This combination allows de-curling to be achieved without adding independent complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving shaft and associated gears are designed to perform multiple functions: they simultaneously control both the paper feeding motion and the de-curling process. The cams on the driving shaft coordinate the movement of multiple components including the diverter and platen brackets, enabling a single mechanism to handle both transport and shape correction functions.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple cams and brackets are used to control the platen and pressurizing rollers, then precise paper feeding and printing control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single driving shaft that rotates in synchronization with the paper feed. Multiple cams are mounted on this one shaft, and through their geometric profiles, they simultaneously control the diverter rotation, platen bracket movement, and pressurizing bracket action. This merging reduces the need for multiple independent control shafts and motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic cam profiles that change the position and pressure applied to the paper during different phases of the printing cycle. The cams convert the rotational motion of the driving shaft into precise reciprocating motions of the platen and pressurizing rollers, enabling accurate paper positioning and variable pressure control during feeding and printing operations.
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 device effectively controls the feeding and transfer path of printing paper, ensuring uniform unwinding, de-curling, and efficient printing by applying heat to the ink ribbon, thereby providing high-quality printed output.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal transfer printer applies heat to an ink ribbon through a thermal print head (TPH) and thus transfers the dye or pigment applied to the ink ribbon to printing paper fed therein
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a paper supply control device and, specifically, to a paper supply control device which performs printing on printing paper by applying heat to an ink ribbon, performs de-curling with respect to the printing paper of which printing has been done, and then controls feeding and a transfer path of the printing paper so as to provide the printing paper to a user.