Printing Apparatus Belt Feed Error Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Textile printing apparatuses with endless belts face transport errors due to belt eccentricity and dimensional variations, which are not adequately corrected by existing systems, leading to inaccuracies in cloth movement during continuous printing.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus equipped with a belt mover, feed amount calculator, and movement amount measurer that calculates and compensates for transport errors in real time by comparing actual belt movement with intended feed amounts, allowing for accurate line feeding through separate reference and compensation movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If test printing is performed before actual printing to correct the amount of feed, then initial transport errors due to belt eccentricity and thickness variations are corrected, but transport error that occurs during continuous printing is not corrected or compensated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport error correctionVSAvoidcontinuous printing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a movement amount measurer to continuously monitor the actual movement of the endless belt during printing operations. The measured values are fed back to a feed amount calculator, which adjusts the belt feed amount in real-time to compensate for transport errors. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures both initial and continuous printing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs test printing before actual printing to determine initial transport errors and establish correction values. This preliminary measurement and correction setup prepares the system for accurate continuous printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the endless belt is used for continuous printing, then productivity is improved, but transport error gradually occurs due to slip and abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous printing capabilityVSAvoidline feed accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

During continuous printing operations, the movement amount measurer continuously monitors belt movement and detects transport errors caused by slip and abrasion. The feed amount calculator uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the belt feed amount, maintaining line feed accuracy throughout continuous printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the belt feed amount based on real-time measurement data rather than using fixed correction values. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain precision despite changing conditions during continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If image processing is used to measure actual belt movement, then real-time transport error detection is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactual movement measurementVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses image processing as an intermediary measurement method. A camera captures images of the endless belt, and image processing algorithms calculate the actual movement amount from these images. This intermediary approach provides accurate measurement without requiring direct mechanical sensors on the belt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical measurement sensors with optical image processing to measure belt movement. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

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

This solution improves the accuracy of cloth movement and image quality by continuously compensating for transport errors, ensuring precise line feeding and reducing inaccuracies caused by belt misalignment and wear.

Implementation Method 1

a movement amount measurer that measures actual amount of movement of the endless belt by image processing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentUS9862209B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a belt mover for an endless belt which carries out a line feed of a recording medium, a feed amount calculator that calculates an amount of belt feed of the belt mover, and a movement amount measurer that measures actual amount of movement of the endless belt by image processing. The feed amount calculator calculates the amount of belt feed by which the endless belt is to be fed, on the basis of the amount of belt feed by which the endless belt has been fed and the actual amount of movement of the endless belt measured by the movement amount measurer. The belt mover moves the endless belt by the amount of belt feed calculated.