Pneumatic Sheet Registration Using Vectored Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed inkjet marking devices for large-sized cut sheets face challenges in production output, media type versatility, and image quality due to difficulties in precise registration and maintenance of large sheets on moveable platens.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic table with a foraminous upper surface and reversible air blowers that generate positive and negative air flows to register and clamp substrate media sheets, using vectored air flows and sensors to ensure precise alignment and secure holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an oversized media platen is used to support large sized cut sheets, then the sheet can be supported during the marking process, but placement and registration of the sheet on the platen requires precision and is difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic table with a foraminous upper surface and reversible air blowers that generate positive and negative air flows. Positive air flow forms a gaseous layer to lift and position the sheet, while negative air flow secures the sheet to the platen surface, enabling precise registration of large sheets without manual manipulation difficulties
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible air blower changes the air flow parameter from positive to negative to transition the sheet from a suspended state to a secured state. This parameter change enables dynamic control of sheet position and registration precision on the oversized platen
2Measurement precision
If the sheet is moved into the desired registration position, then precise alignment is achieved, but that position must be reliability maintained which is difficult with large sheets on moveable platens
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system uses negative air flow generated by the reversible air blower to create suction that reliably maintains the sheet's registered position on the moveable platen. This pneumatic holding mechanism ensures position stability without mechanical clamps or fasteners that could interfere with the moveable platen operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the sheet's position and provide feedback to the control system. When the sheet reaches the desired registration position, the sensor signals the reversible air blower to switch to negative air flow, ensuring reliable position maintenance through closed-loop control
3Manufacturing precision
If a foraminous upper surface is used with reversible air blowers, then sheet registration and holding is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible air blower performs multiple functions: generating positive air flow for sheet lifting and positioning, generating negative air flow for sheet securing, and enabling transition between these states. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate pneumatic components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise registration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the positive and negative air flow generation capabilities into a single reversible air blower unit connected to the foraminous surface. This merging of functions into one integrated component achieves precise sheet registration while minimizing the increase in overall 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
Improves image quality and productivity by enabling efficient sheet registration and handling of large format print jobs, ensuring precise alignment and secure holding of sheets on the platen, enhancing production output and media type versatility.
Implementation Method 1
A first reversible air blower is in fluid communication with the media platen and selectively generates at least one of a positive air flow and a negative airflow through the foraminous upper surface. The positive air flow forms a gaseous layer of air between the foraminous upper surface and the substrate media sheet.
Implementation Method 2
The negative airflow encourages the substrate media sheet to remain fixed and engaged upon the foraminous upper surface.
Implementation Method 3
A sheet biasing element includes a directionally vectored positive air flow. The sheet biasing device selectively applies a biasing force to the substrate media sheet encouraging movement of the substrate media sheet across the foraminous upper surface for engaging the substrate media sheet with the registration wall.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic table for registering and clamping thereon a sheet of substrate media for handling in a printing system including a media platen having a foraminous upper surface for receiving media. A first reversible air blower is in fluid communication with the media platen and selectively generates at least one of a positive air flow and a negative airflow through the upper surface. The positive air flow forms a gaseous layer of air between the upper surface and the media. The negative airflow fixes the media to the upper surface. A registration wall extends along an edge of the upper surface. A sheet biasing element selectively applies a biasing force to the media to move the media toward the registration wall.