Printer Dual-Side Printing Start Position Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers for printing both sides of a medium face complications in aligning the printing start positions due to the structural difference between thermal heads, leading to a complex algorithm for synchronizing printing processes.
Innovation Solution
A printer design that includes a first printing part and a second printing part, with a storage area for image data, and an adjustment mechanism to align printing start positions by shifting the readout order of image data based on the positional difference between the two parts, ensuring simultaneous and synchronized printing on both surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two thermal heads are positioned at different locations to print both sides of the medium, then double-sided printing is enabled, but the printing start positions on front and back surfaces become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the positional difference between the first and second thermal heads in advance. This stored position information is then used to adjust the timing of printing operations, allowing the printing start positions to be aligned without complex real-time calculations during actual printing.
2Manufacturing precision
If timing adjustments are made to align printing start positions on both surfaces, then position alignment is improved, but the printing control algorithm becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores the positional difference between thermal heads in advance, converting a complex real-time timing calculation problem into a simple data retrieval and application process. This preliminary preparation of position information significantly simplifies the printing control algorithm while maintaining precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a storage medium as an intermediary to hold the positional difference information. This intermediary element decouples the complex positional relationship calculation from the printing control logic, making the control algorithm simpler while preserving alignment precision.
3Device complexity
If thermal heads are positioned at the same location, then printing control is simplified, but double-sided printing cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses stored position information as an intermediary to bridge the spatial separation between thermal heads. This allows the system to maintain simple control logic while accommodating different thermal head positions, thereby enabling double-sided printing without complicating the control algorithm.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the invention is a printer for printing on one surface and the other surface of a sheet-like printing medium fed in a predetermined feed direction. The printer includes, a first printing part for printing on the one surface, a second printing part provided on the upstream side of the first printing part for printing on the other surface, a storage area in which first image data and second image data are stored, and an adjustment part for adjusting printing start positions of printing operations performed by the first and second printing parts by shifting the readout order of the first image data to be stored in the storage area toward the end side in accordance with a positional difference between the first printing part and the second printing part in the feed direction.