Printing Assembly Thermal Expansion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-impact printing methods like inkjet printing, maintaining precise registration between print heads and the printing material is challenging due to thermal expansion and mechanical movements, affecting the quality of printed images.
Innovation Solution
A printing unit with a supporting body that allows for controlled temperature differences across its length, using temperature control devices to adjust the position of image-generating devices relative to the transport direction, ensuring accurate alignment and high-quality prints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thermal expansion compensation is implemented by displacing print heads relative to the carrier, then registration accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to locks and displacement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical displacement mechanisms (locks, movable print heads) with a thermal field-based solution. Temperature control devices heat or cool specific regions of the supporting body, causing controlled thermal expansion or contraction that compensates for registration errors. This substitutes complex mechanical systems with a thermal field control system, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining registration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the supporting body to achieve compensation. By controlling the temperature distribution in the supporting body, the patent induces controlled thermal expansion or contraction that counteracts registration errors. This parameter change approach allows dynamic compensation without mechanical displacement mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting body is made rigid to maintain position, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion causes registration errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform temperature distribution in the supporting body. Specific regions are heated or cooled differently to induce localized thermal expansion or contraction. This allows the rigid supporting body to maintain overall structural stability while specific areas undergo controlled dimensional changes to compensate for registration errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly utilizes thermal expansion by controlling the temperature of the supporting body. Temperature control devices create controlled thermal expansion or contraction in the supporting body, which compensates for registration errors caused by environmental temperature changes or mechanical movements, thereby maintaining registration accuracy while preserving structural stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If temperature control devices are added to compensate for thermal expansion, then registration accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by controlling temperature only in specific critical regions of the supporting body rather than heating or cooling the entire structure. Temperature control devices are positioned to affect only the areas that influence registration accuracy, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining registration precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thermal expansion effects efficiently by applying heat or cold only where needed to achieve compensation. By utilizing the natural thermal expansion properties of the supporting body material and applying temperature control locally, the system achieves registration accuracy with minimal energy input, avoiding excessive heating or cooling of the entire structure.
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 enables precise positioning of print heads relative to the transport path, maintaining registration and enhancing the quality of printed images by compensating for thermal expansion and mechanical movements without altering nozzle actuation times.
Implementation Method 1
If print heads arranged adjacent to one another on a common carrier are displaced relative to one another in the direction of compensation due to thermal expansion of the carrier
Implementation Method 2
at least one first temperature control device (641) for the targeted generation of a temperature difference between a first point (651) of this at least one first supporting body (616) and a second point (652) of this at least one first supporting body (616)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a printing assembly (200), wherein at least one transport direction (T) of a transport path provided for the transport of printing material (02) through the printing assembly (200) is defined. The printing assembly (200) has at least one first support body (616), on which at least one first image-generating device (212) is arranged, and which extends both in the transport direction (T) and in a transverse direction (A) that is oriented horizontally and orthogonally to the transport direction (T). The printing assembly (200) has at least one first temperature-control device (641; 642) for the targeted generation of a temperature difference between a first point (651) of said at least one first support body (616) and an at least one second point (652) of said at least one first support body (616), said second point being spaced apart from said first point, at least in the transport direction (T).