Printer Label Pitch Detection and Feeding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printers that print on label continuous bodies, labels downstream of the detection sensor may not be printed when a new label continuous body is set, leading to label loss due to misalignment and incomplete detection of the label pitch.
Innovation Solution
A printer with a feeding unit, printing unit, first detecting unit upstream of the printing unit, and second detecting unit downstream, where a controller calculates the label pitch from detected end portions and adjusts the feeding direction to ensure printing of labels that would otherwise be missed by the initial detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the label continuous body is fed until the mark for detecting position is detected by the detecting sensor, then the label pitch can be read, but labels downstream of the detection sensor cannot be printed and are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two parts: the first detecting unit detects the mark for detecting position to identify the printing start position, while the second detecting unit detects the end portion of the label to determine label pitch. This segmentation allows both functions to operate independently and ensures complete label processing without loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the label end portion by the second detecting unit before printing begins. By detecting the label pitch in advance and storing it in memory, the system prepares the necessary information to correctly position and print labels even when the label pitch is smaller than the distance from the first detecting unit to the printing unit.
2Device complexity
If only the first detecting unit is used to detect the mark for detecting position, then the structure is simple, but labels with small pitch cannot be printed due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of two detecting units: the first detecting unit detects the mark for detecting position to identify the printing start position, while the second detecting unit detects the end portion of the label to determine label pitch. By combining these two detection functions, the system achieves precise label alignment and pitch detection without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If the label continuous body is fed continuously, then printing can start immediately, but labels may be sent out before detection is complete causing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of both the label start position (via the first detecting unit) and label pitch (via the second detecting unit) before printing begins. By completing detection in advance and storing the pitch information in memory, the system can immediately start printing at high speed without risking label loss, as all necessary detection data is already prepared.
Data Source
AI summary
The printer is a printer for printing on a label continuous body including a plurality of labels temporarily attached to a belt-like liner at predetermined intervals, the printer calculates the label pitch from the downstream end portion of a first label and the upstream end portion of the first label detected by a second detecting unit that detects an end portion of the label, if the calculated label pitch is smaller than a distance from a first detecting unit for identifying a printing start position of the label to a printing unit, the printer feeds the label continuous body to a printing start position of a second label based on the calculated label pitch.