Printer Platen Type Discrimination Using Single Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers face challenges in accurately identifying and ensuring proper installation of interchangeable platens, which have different mechanical and substrate-handling characteristics, leading to potential issues with substrate positioning, colorant distribution, and image quality across various substrate types.
Innovation Solution
A printer system equipped with a single platen-type-discriminating sensor, such as an ultrasonic or optical sensor, that detects a distinguishing feature on the platen to determine its type and ensure proper installation, preventing operation if the platen is not correctly installed, thereby maintaining consistent print quality across different substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interchangeable platens are used to support different substrate types, then the printer can handle diverse substrates with different colorant-receiving properties, but it becomes difficult to accurately identify and ensure proper installation of each platen type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual distinction features (analogous to color changes) on the platen surface that can be detected by the sensor. Different platen types have different visual patterns or markers that enable the sensor to distinguish between platen types and verify proper installation, thereby maintaining identification accuracy across multiple platen varieties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary between the platen and the printer's control system. This sensor detects distinguishing features on the platen surface and communicates platen type information to the controller, enabling automatic identification and verification without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical recognition mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor system is added to detect platen type and ensure proper installation, then platen identification accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platen itself provides the identification information through features built into its structure. The platen is self-identifying through its visual markers or patterns, eliminating the need for external identification mechanisms or complex sensor systems. The sensor simply reads the information that the platen already contains and presents in a detectable form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical recognition mechanisms with a simpler optical or electromagnetic sensor system. Instead of using mechanical keys, locks, or physical interlocking features to identify platen type, the system uses non-contact sensing of visual features, which reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving identification accuracy.
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 system effectively discriminates between different platen types and ensures proper installation, enhancing print quality by preventing improper substrate handling and colorant distribution issues, ensuring high-quality output on diverse substrates like paper, vinyl, and textiles.
Implementation Method 1
A printer includes a platen, a single sensor, and a controller. The platen is removably installable in the printer and is selected from a set of platens in which different platens may have different platen types. The platen includes a feature indicative of the platen type. The sensor detects a distinguishing characteristic of the feature, and the controller determines the platen type from the distinguishing characteristic.
Implementation Method 2
A printer system equipped with a single platen-type-discriminating sensor, such as an ultrasonic or optical sensor, that detects a distinguishing feature on the platen to determine its type
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a printer having a removably-installable platen. The platen has a platen type. A surface of the platen has a feature that is indicative of the platen type. The printer includes a single platen-type-discriminating sensor. The sensor detects a distinguishing characteristic of the feature. A controller determines the platen type from the distinguishing characteristic.