Processing device and platen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet textile printers face failures in pretreatment and printing processes when using platens that do not have predetermined sizes or heights, leading to potential bleeding or incomplete printing, as existing systems lack effective identification and adjustment mechanisms for non-standard platens.

Innovation Solution

A processing device that receives and associates platen identification information with print medium information, allowing for appropriate processing by adjusting settings and performing error processing when non-standard platens are detected, and includes a height detection mechanism to ensure proper platen height for printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predetermined platen is used, then the pretreatment and printing processing can be performed reliably, but the system lacks flexibility when non-standard platens are used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepretreatment and printing processing reliabilityVSAvoidplaten compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of platen presence and height before pretreatment and printing operations. The detection unit checks whether a platen is correctly installed and measures its height, allowing the control unit to adjust processing parameters or issue warnings before actual printing occurs, preventing failures caused by non-standard platens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit provides real-time feedback about platen status (presence, height) to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to continuously monitor platen conditions and adjust processing parameters dynamically, ensuring reliable operation while accommodating variations in platen specifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If platen detection mechanisms are added, then non-standard platens can be identified, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit serves multiple functions: detecting platen presence, measuring platen height, and providing identification information. By consolidating these detection capabilities into a single multi-functional unit rather than separate mechanisms for each function, the system achieves reliable platen verification without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit acts as an intermediary between the platen and the printing system. Rather than requiring direct complex interactions between the platen and multiple processing components, the detection unit mediates by providing consolidated status information to the control unit, which then coordinates appropriate responses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If platen identification is performed, then appropriate processing can be selected, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing appropriatenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Platen detection and identification are performed as preliminary actions before the main pretreatment and printing processes. By completing detection early in the workflow, the system can quickly retrieve appropriate processing parameters from storage without adding time to the core printing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on detected platen characteristics. Rather than using fixed processing times for all platens, the control unit modifies processing conditions in real-time based on detection results, optimizing both accuracy and efficiency for each specific platen configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3578368B1Processing device and platen
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP3578368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3578368B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3578368B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A processing device capable of performing appropriate processing on a set platen, and a platen are provided. A platen (6) that is used in a printer (1) and at least one of a pretreatment device (10) and a post-treatment device (5) is provided with a platen identification information portion that identifies the platen (6). A code reader (27, 35, 85) receives platen identification information that identifies the platen (6), from the platen identification information portion. The printer (1) and at least one of the pretreatment device (10) and the post-treatment device (5) perform processing on the basis of the platen identification information received by the code reader (27, 35, 85).