Printhead Stabilization Unit Using Aerodynamic Strip Tensioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-speed packaging manufacturing, maintaining precise spatial and temporal alignment between print heads and strips while avoiding contact that could disturb ink drying, and minimizing friction and aeration disturbances to ensure high-quality printing.

Innovation Solution

A support and stabilization unit using rotating rollers and air flow to create a depression between the strip and a guide face, generating tension and maintaining strip flatness without contact, thus minimizing friction and aeration disturbances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If vacuum suction is used to stabilize the strip, then the strip can be held in position, but friction increases and air flow is disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrip stabilityVSAvoidfriction and air flow disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum suction system with an aerodynamic field-based system. Instead of using mechanical vacuum to hold the strip, the invention uses a controlled air flow field generated by blowing air through slots in the support roller to create an aerodynamic cushion that stabilizes the strip without contact, thereby eliminating friction and air flow disturbances associated with vacuum systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by using pressurized air flow through slots in the support roller surface. This creates a pneumatic field that lifts and stabilizes the strip without mechanical contact, replacing the vacuum-based pneumatic system with a positive pressure pneumatic system that avoids the harmful effects of friction and air flow disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If high strip feed speeds are used to achieve high productivity, then production efficiency increases, but strip vibration and undulation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrip feed speedVSAvoidstrip stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary air flow field between the support roller and the strip. This aerodynamic intermediary creates a stable cushion that allows the strip to be conveyed at high speeds without direct mechanical contact, thereby maintaining strip stability and reducing vibration and undulation even at high feed speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic air flow control through the slots in the support roller, adjusting the air flow characteristics to match the dynamic conditions of high-speed strip conveyance. This dynamic pneumatic field adapts to maintain optimal strip stability across varying speeds, enabling high productivity without sacrificing stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the strip is pressed or compressed for stabilization, then positioning precision improves, but ink drying is disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidink drying disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pressing or compression systems with an aerodynamic field-based positioning system. The controlled air flow through the slots creates an aerodynamic cushion that precisely positions and stabilizes the strip without mechanical contact, thereby maintaining positioning precision while avoiding disturbance to the ink drying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Achieves precise positioning and tensioning of the strip, ensuring high-quality printing by maintaining strip flatness and minimizing disturbances, thereby improving print quality and reducing vibrations and ink ejection issues.

Implementation Method 1

an air inlet arranged inside the internal cavity so as to generate on the strip a force oriented in the direction of the guide face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3256323B1Web holding and stabilizing unit for printhead and printer equipped therewith

Publication Date: 2020.04.15 BOBST MEX SA

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AI summary

A support and stabilisation unit (200, 300, 400, 500) for a band (20) advancing in the longitudinal direction thereof above the unit from upstream to downstream, comprises, in line: - at least one rotary support roller (31, 32) suitable for coming into contact with a lower side of the band (20), and - at least one tensioning device (121, 122, 122') for tensioning the band (20). The tensioning device (121, 122, 122') comprises: - a guiding face (121a, 122a), turned towards the lower side of the band (20), - an inner cavity, opening on the outside of the device by means of an outlet opening (121d) turned towards the guiding face (121a, 122a), and - an air inlet on the inside of the inner cavity (121b), so as to generate, on the band (20), a force (F2) directed towards the guiding face (121a, 122a).