Portable Printer Power Distribution for Peel-Off and Continuous Modes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable printers consume excessive battery power due to unnecessary torque generation in continuous printing mode, as the current is set for peel-off mode, leading to inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
A printer with a processor that controls power supply to differentiate between printing modes, providing more power to the printing device in continuous mode and more power to the transfer device in peel-off mode, optimizing power usage based on the printing mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the current flowing in the motor is set to suit the peel-off issue, then the peel-off function is achieved, but the battery power is consumed excessively in continuous mode due to unnecessary torque generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the motor's current value adjustable based on the printing mode. The control unit dynamically changes the motor's current between a first current value (for peel-off mode with higher torque) and a second current value (for continuous mode with lower torque), allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to the actual operational requirements rather than maintaining a fixed high-current setting.
2Reliability
If the motor generates sufficient torque for peel-off mode, then the label peeling function is reliable, but the printing speed decreases in continuous mode due to power limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the motor's current based on the selected printing mode. In peel-off mode, the motor receives a higher current value to generate sufficient torque for reliable label peeling. In continuous mode, the motor receives a lower current value, which reduces power consumption and allows the printing device to operate at higher speeds without exceeding the battery's power capacity.
3Ease of operation
If the battery power is allocated to the transfer device for peel-off mode, then the peeling function is achieved, but the printing quality suffers in continuous mode due to insufficient power to the printing device
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically reallocates power between the printing device and transfer device based on the printing mode. In peel-off mode, more power is allocated to the transfer device to enable the peeling function. In continuous mode, more power is allocated to the printing device to ensure high-quality printing, while the transfer device operates with reduced power since peeling is not required.
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
This solution reduces battery power consumption by prioritizing power distribution according to the printing mode, enhancing the operational efficiency and extending the printer's battery life.
Implementation Method 1
The printing device includes a plurality of heating elements, and the processor is configured to change the number of simultaneously energizable heating elements on the basis of the power supplied to the printing device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
According to an embodiment, there is provided a printer including a plurality of printing modes. A first printing mode is a printing mode for discharging a label (X1) by a transfer device, the label (X1) being still attached to a backing sheet (X0). A second printing mode is a printing mode for discharging the label (X1) by the transfer device while peeling off the label (X1) from the backing sheet (X0). The printer controls power supply from a storage battery such that a printing device (141) performs printing at a second printing speed when the printing mode is the second printing mode and such that the printing device (141) performs the printing at a first printing speed when the printing mode is the first printing mode, the first printing speed being faster than the second printing speed.