Preheating Strobe Circuit for Thermal Printer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal printers require high-performance microprocessors to alternate between printing and preheating, making it difficult to reduce the cost of the printer while maintaining high-speed printing.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device with a preheating strobe generation circuit that compresses the waveform of the printing strobe signal in the time axis direction to generate a preheating strobe signal, allowing for simultaneous printing and preheating operations without increasing the load on the printer controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a microprocessor is used to control both printing and preheating operations, then printing speed and functionality are improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidcontroller complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is divided into two functional parts: a simple control circuit that generates basic printing strobe signals, and a dedicated preheating strobe generation circuit that autonomously generates preheating signals by compressing the printing strobe waveform in the time axis direction. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex microprocessor while maintaining both printing and preheating functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The preheating strobe generation circuit is self-sufficient, taking the printing strobe signal as input and automatically generating the preheating strobe signal through waveform compression without requiring microprocessor intervention. This self-service capability reduces the computational burden on the controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If preheating is performed alternately with printing using a microprocessor, then heating elements are maintained at optimal temperature, but processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating element temperatureVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The preheating and printing operations are merged into a simultaneous process. The preheating strobe generation circuit generates preheating signals concurrently with printing signals, allowing heating elements to be preheated during non-printing periods without interrupting the printing workflow. This eliminates the need for separate alternating preheating cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The preheating function is performed in advance during the intervals between printing operations. By compressing the printing strobe waveform in the time axis direction, the system generates preheating signals that prepare heating elements for upcoming printing tasks without delaying the printing schedule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If alternating heating control is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but control complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex microprocessor-based control system is replaced with a simple analog/digital circuit implementation. The preheating strobe generation circuit uses waveform compression in the time axis direction to generate preheating signals, eliminating the need for complex software control and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables faster startup times and increased printing speed without increasing the printer's cost by allowing heating elements to perform both printing and preheating operations concurrently, reducing unnecessary preheating and power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a preheating strobe generation circuit that generates a preheating strobe signal that causes the heating element to preheat by compressing a waveform of the printing strobe signal in a time axis direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaveform compression in time axis direction:

Implementation Method 2

a heating element that performs printing; a control signal output circuit that outputs a control signal that controls energization of the heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11840096B2Semiconductor device

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A semiconductor device is adapted for controlling energization of a heating element that performs printing. The semiconductor device includes: a strobe signal input unit receiving a printing strobe signal that causes the heating element to generate heat for printing; a preheating strobe generation circuit generating a preheating strobe signal that causes the heating element to preheat by compressing a waveform of the printing strobe signal in a time axis direction; and an output controller outputting a control signal that controls energization of the heating element based on the printing strobe signal and the preheating strobe signal.