Printer Belt Tensioning Unit for Single-Motor Drive Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal transfer printers face challenges in controlling and assembling the drive mechanisms for platen rollers and ribbon conveying systems, which require separate motors, leading to increased complexity, cost, and space requirements due to the need for multiple idle pulleys in belt drive mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A printer design that uses a rotary drive mechanism with a tension unit comprising pulleys and elastic members to transmit drive power from a single motor to both the platen roller and ribbon conveying system, allowing for adjustable belt tension without additional space or tools, using a first and second belt with pulleys that rotate with the belts and are adjusted by elastic members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate motors are used to drive the platen roller and ribbon conveying mechanism, then the control and operation are simplified, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive functions for both the platen roller and ribbon conveying mechanism into a single motor system. The motor drives a platen roller via a timing belt, and the same motor also drives the ribbon feed reel and ribbon take-up reel through a shared drive mechanism, eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor serves multiple functions by simultaneously driving both the platen roller (for conveying printing medium and ink ribbon) and the ribbon conveying mechanism (feed reel and take-up reel). This multi-functional approach reduces the number of components while maintaining operational control.
2Reliability
If multiple idle pulleys are used to adjust timing belt tension in a multistage belt drive system, then the belt tension can be adjusted, but the number of parts increases and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple idle pulleys into a single idle pulley that serves the entire multistage belt drive system. This single idle pulley is positioned to simultaneously adjust the tension of multiple timing belts (first timing belt and second timing belt) through its interaction with the belt paths, reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining reliable tension adjustment.
3Reliability
If multiple tension members are used to apply tension to timing belts, then uniform tension can be obtained, but the space required increases and the device is difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tension members into a single idle pulley that performs the tensioning function for multiple timing belts. The idle pulley is positioned such that its rotation and positioning simultaneously apply appropriate tension to both the first timing belt and the second timing belt, achieving uniform tension distribution without requiring multiple separate tension members, thereby reducing space requirements and assembly 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
This design simplifies assembly, reduces space requirements, and maintains uniform belt tension, improving the operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the printer by eliminating the need for multiple tension members and adjustment tools.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic members that adjust positions of the plurality of pulleys so as to apply tension at least to the first timing belt and the second timing belt
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal transfer printer having a configuration in which a drive power of one motor is transmitted to a platen roller and a ribbon conveying mechanism can be easily assembled. The printer has: (a) a printing medium feed reel, (b) a ribbon feed reel, (c) a platen roller, (d) a thermal head, (e) a ribbon conveying roller, (f) a ribbon take-up reel, (g) a motor that drives the platen roller, (h) a rotary drive mechanism that transmits a drive power of the motor to the ribbon conveying roller via a first belt and transmits a drive power of the motor to the ribbon take-up reel via the first belt and a second belt, and (i) a tension unit comprising a plurality of pulleys that are in contact with the first and second belts and rotate following the movement thereof, a plurality of elastic members that adjust positions of the plurality of pulleys so as to apply tension to the first and second belts, and a plurality of fixing members that fix the positions of the plurality of pulleys.