Printer Roller Load Control for Ink Transfer Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printers face challenges in high-speed printing due to ink transfer to rollers when the printing medium is transported before the ink is fully fixed, leading to printing errors and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual transport mechanism with adjustable load control, where a forward transport control applies a higher load to prevent ink transfer during printing and a reverse transport control applies a lower load to minimize ink transfer, allowing for high-speed printing without ink transfer to the rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the printing medium is transported by being pinched by two rollers before the coloring agent is sufficiently fixed, then high speed printing can be achieved, but the coloring agent transfers to the roller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidcoloring agent transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the roller load adjustable rather than fixed. The roller that contacts the printing medium has its load dynamically changed between a first load (higher) during forward transport and a second load (lower) during reverse transport. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve both high-speed printing and prevent coloring agent transfer by adapting the roller pressure to the specific transport direction and timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the printing medium is transported in the opposite direction after waiting until the coloring agent is sufficiently fixed, then coloring agent transfer is prevented, but printing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloring agent transfer preventionVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the roller load parameter based on transport direction. During reverse transport of the printing medium, the roller load is changed to a lower second load, which prevents coloring agent transfer. This parameter adjustment allows reverse transport to occur without the harmful effects that would normally limit printing speed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a higher load is applied to the printing medium during forward transport, then coloring agent transfer is suppressed, but transport difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloring agent transfer suppressionVSAvoidtransport ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach effectively suppresses ink transfer to the rollers, maintaining print accuracy and enabling high-speed printing by controlling the tension and load applied during both forward and reverse transport processes.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanism in which the printing medium is transported by causing a roller to rotate in a state where a frictional force is applied by making the front surface of the roller and printing medium contact each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8870479B2Printer

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer is configured which includes, a printing head; a first transport mechanism which transports a printing medium along a transport path; a second transport mechanism which transports the printing medium along the transport path between the printing head and the first transport mechanism; a forward transport control unit which executes a forward transport control transporting the printing medium to the printing head side using the second transport mechanism while applying a load to the printing medium using the roller, and printing a coloring agent to the printing medium using the printing head; and a reverse transport control unit which executes a reverse transport control transporting the printing medium to the first transport mechanism side using the second transport mechanism while applying a load which is smaller than that in the forward transport control to the printing medium using the roller.