Printer Nip Roller Mechanism for High-Speed Colorant Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in achieving high-speed printing due to the need for a predetermined time period for colorant drying, which delays the printing process when using a configuration with rollers that transfer unfixed colorant during medium conveyance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual conveying mechanism system where the first mechanism is set to a nip-release state to prevent colorant transfer when the colorant is not fully fixed, allowing the print medium to be conveyed by a second mechanism positioned further upstream before the drying time has elapsed, enabling high-speed printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the print medium is conveyed using a nip state with rollers, then the colorant is transferred to the rollers, but printing speed is reduced because the colorant must dry before the next printing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the conveying mechanism's state changeable between nip and nip-release states. The conveying mechanism dynamically adjusts its configuration based on whether the colorant has dried, allowing the system to optimize between colorant transfer (nip state) and preventing transfer (nip-release state) to enable high-speed printing without compromising print quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the conveying route into multiple conveying mechanisms with different functions. The first conveying mechanism is configured to release the nip state to prevent colorant transfer, while the second conveying mechanism maintains the nip state for proper colorant transfer. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both high-speed printing and print quality
2Productivity
If printing is performed on the print medium and then the medium is conveyed in reverse direction, then multi-pass printing is achieved, but the process is delayed by a standby period required for colorant drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the print medium conveyed in the reverse direction before the colorant has completely dried. The first conveying mechanism is set to nip-release state in advance to prevent colorant transfer during this premature reverse conveyance, allowing the system to eliminate the standby period and proceed directly to the next printing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary conveying mechanism (the first conveying mechanism with nip-release state) that mediates between the printing operations. This intermediary mechanism allows the print medium to be conveyed in reverse direction without causing colorant transfer issues, enabling continuous high-speed printing without requiring complete drying between passes
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
Enables high-speed printing by preventing colorant transfer onto rollers during conveyance, allowing for continuous operation without the need for a standby period, even when the colorant is not fully fixed on the print medium.
Implementation Method 1
pressure is applied to the print surface of the print medium from the rollers in the nip state
Implementation Method 2
the colorant is air-dried or dried by a heater or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a head for performing printing, a roll element on which a print medium is wound, a first conveying mechanism for rotating the roll element, an auxiliary roller positioned between the head and the roll, a second conveying mechanism for driving the auxiliary roller, a nip roller constituting a pair with the auxiliary roller to hold the medium on both sides, a nip roller drive mechanism for driving the nip roller and creating a state in which the medium is held on both sides and a state in which the medium is not held on both sides, and a controller for setting the nip roller to a first state in which the roll element is rotated in a forward direction to convey the print medium, and a second state in which the roll element is rotated in a reverse direction to convey the print medium.