Printer Ink Ribbon Tension Control via Strain Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers using ink ribbons face challenges in maintaining uniform tension, leading to printing defects due to dimensional tolerances and assembly errors, making accurate adjustments difficult without skilled labor.
Innovation Solution
A printer design incorporating a shaft-shaped member with paired strain detection units and a control unit to automatically adjust the tension of the ink ribbon by moving the guide shafts, ensuring uniform tension through strain gauge output comparison and motor-driven adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If final adjustments are performed by sensory method observing surface condition of ink ribbon, then adjustment can be performed, but it is difficult for non-skilled workers to perform adjustment with high accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sensory-based manual adjustment method with an automated detection and adjustment system. Sensors detect the surface condition of the ink ribbon objectively, and a control unit automatically adjusts the parallelization of components based on sensor data, eliminating the need for skilled workers to perform sensory-based adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting ink ribbon surface conditions and adjusting component parallelization without human intervention. The control unit processes sensor information and autonomously modifies the mechanical configuration to achieve optimal tension uniformity.
2Ease of manufacture
If dimensional tolerances and assembly errors exist in components, then assembly becomes easier, but predetermined degree of parallelization cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of parallelization status before final assembly is complete. By detecting ink ribbon surface conditions early in the process, the system can identify and correct parallelization issues before they affect printing quality, compensating for dimensional tolerances and assembly errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor ink ribbon surface conditions and provide information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts component positions to maintain proper parallelization, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations.
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
The solution allows for easy and accurate adjustment of ink ribbon tension, reducing printing defects by automating the process and ensuring consistent tension, even for non-skilled operators.
Implementation Method 1
paired strain detection units, and an output thereof is varied according to a strain of the shaft-shaped member
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a shaft-shaped member, a movable support portion, paired strain detection units, and a control unit. The shaft-shaped member that sets a path of an ink ribbon from a supplying shaft to a winding shaft is provided at least on a downstream side between an upstream side and the downstream side in a conveying direction at a position where a thermal head and a platen face each other with a recording medium interposed therebetween, and the ink ribbon is hung around the shaft-shaped member. The movable support portion movably supports at least one end portion of the shaft-shaped member in a direction in which a tension of the ink ribbon varies. The paired strain detection units are provided at both end portions of the shaft-shaped member, and an output thereof is varied according to a strain of the shaft-shaped member. The control unit controls movement of the shaft-shaped member in a direction in which a difference in output between the paired strain detection units becomes small.