Printer Conveyance Guide Calibration for Stable Printing Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In center-reference printers, the conveyance position of print media is unstable due to fluctuations and individual differences in sensor detection, leading to deviations in the printing start position, especially when small gaps are present between the media and conveyance guides.
Innovation Solution
A printer with a conveyance guide system that includes a pair of movable guide members and a position sensor, using a linear function to accurately detect and correct the printing start position based on sensor outputs, minimizing the influence of sensor errors and fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If small gaps are provided between the print medium and the conveyance guides to prevent hindrance, then the conveyance guides can move freely, but the fluctuation in the conveyance position in the width direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a position sensor to detect the actual position of the conveyance guide in real-time and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the printing start position based on the detected position, compensating for any fluctuations caused by gaps between the media and guides. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate printing despite the gaps that allow free conveyance guide movement.
2Extent of automation
If the position in the width direction of the conveyance guides is adjusted according to both the ends of the print medium, then the printing start position can be automatically set, but the conveyance position in the width direction becomes unstable due to sensor individual differences
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensor detects the actual position of the conveyance guide, and the control unit uses this feedback to calculate the correct printing start position. By continuously monitoring and adjusting based on real-time position data, the system compensates for sensor individual differences and maintains stable conveyance position while achieving automatic printing start position setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of the printing start position based on the detected conveyance guide position. The control unit adjusts the printing start position parameter dynamically according to the actual conveyance guide position, thereby compensating for sensor variations and ensuring reliable and stable printing across different media widths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the pair of conveyance guides is adjusted according to the width of the print medium, then different media widths can be accommodated, but the fluctuation in the conveyance position in the width direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance guide system is designed to be dynamic and adjustable. The guide members can move to accommodate different media widths, and the position sensor continuously monitors the actual position during operation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to various media widths while maintaining position stability through real-time feedback and correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer according to an embodiment includes a conveyance guide, a printing section, a position sensor, an arithmetic section, and a setting section. The conveyance guide guides an end portion in the width direction of a print medium and determines a conveyance position in the width direction of the print medium. The printing section prints on the print medium. The position sensor outputs a signal, which changes in proportion to a position in the width direction of the conveyance guide, and detects the position in the width direction of the conveyance guide. The arithmetic section creates a linear function indicating a proportional relation between the position in the width direction of the conveyance guide and the output signals. The setting section calculates the position in the width direction of the conveyance guide using the linear function and sets a printing start position in the width direction.