Thermal Transfer Printer Ribbon Guide With Elastic Backfeed Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat-transfer printer apparatuses with a single driving source, the conveyance of the print sheet and ink ribbon can result in the ink ribbon being loosened during backfeed, leading to sudden pulling and a large impact at the print start, which lowers print quality.
Innovation Solution
A heat-transfer printer apparatus with a single driving source, featuring a platen roller, winding reel, guide member, and an elastic member, such as an EPDM rubber sheet, to guide and absorb the impact of the ink ribbon during backfeed, ensuring consistent contact and preventing loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single driving source is used to convey both the print sheet and the ink ribbon, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is saved, but the ink ribbon becomes loosened during backfeed due to inertia force, causing sudden pulling and impact that lowers print quality
Solution Approach 1:
A tensioning roller is introduced as an intermediary component between the ink ribbon and the winding reel. This roller applies a predetermined tension force to the ink ribbon during backfeed, acting as a mediator that counteracts the inertia force from the winding reel and prevents the ink ribbon from becoming loosened, thereby eliminating sudden pulling and impact while maintaining the single driving source configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The tension force applied to the ink ribbon is dynamically adjusted based on the operational state. During backfeed, a predetermined tension is applied to prevent loosening; during normal printing, the tension is reduced or removed. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements and maintain print quality without compromising the simplicity of the single driving source structure
2Productivity
If the ink ribbon is wound up by the winding reel during backfeed, then the ink ribbon is fed back to the next print start location, but the inertia force of the winding reel causes the ink ribbon to loosen, leading to sudden pulling and large impact at the nip region
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning roller is positioned to engage the ink ribbon before the winding reel can cause excessive loosening during backfeed. By applying predetermined tension in advance, the system cushions against the inertia force of the winding reel, preventing the ink ribbon from becoming excessively loose and eliminating sudden pulling and large impact forces at the nip region
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 elastic member absorbs the impact of the suddenly pulled ink ribbon, maintaining print quality by preventing blurry or faint printing due to loosening during backfeed.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member is attached to a surface of the guide member, the surface guiding only the ink ribbon towards the winding reel
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, a printer apparatus (10) includes a guide member (26, 27) that guides an ink ribbon (22) and a print sheet (15) nipped by a thermal head (24) and a platen roller (25) and guides only the ink ribbon (22) after the printing towards the winding reel (23). The printer apparatus (10) further includes a sheet-like elastic member (40, 41) attached to a surface in contact with the ink ribbon (22) of the guide member (26, 27), said surface guiding only the ink ribbon (22) after the printing towards the winding reel (23).