Printing Device Hybrid Substrate Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing devices for sheet-like substrates either rely solely on mechanical gripping elements or suction air for fixation, leading to inefficient substrate handling and potential distortion during transportation and printing.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with adjustable grippers attached to a fastening rod that can pivot between open and closed positions, combined with strategically placed suction air areas on the drum's lateral surface, ensures secure, distortion-free fixation and transfer of sheet-like substrates between drums, allowing for reliable printing on both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only mechanical gripping elements are used to fix the arc-shaped substrate to the drum, then the substrate can be securely held, but the substrate may become distorted during transportation and printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical gripping elements with suction air areas on the same drum surface to create a hybrid fixation system. The mechanical grippers provide secure holding while the suction air areas distribute pressure evenly across the substrate surface, preventing distortion during transportation and printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction air areas act as an intermediary between the mechanical grippers and the substrate. Instead of relying solely on concentrated mechanical pressure from grippers, the suction air provides distributed atmospheric pressure across the substrate surface, mediating the fixation process to maintain substrate shape integrity.
2Shape
If only suction air is used to fix the arc-shaped substrate to the drum, then the substrate shape is maintained, but the substrate handling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges suction air fixation with mechanical gripping elements to achieve both shape stability and handling efficiency. The suction air maintains substrate shape while the mechanical grippers enable quick picking up, positioning, and release operations, thereby improving overall substrate handling efficiency.
3Reliability
If the suction air area is located close to the gripper, then the substrate fixation is enhanced, but the substrate may be damaged or distorted at the gripping point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the suction air area at a predetermined distance from the mechanical gripper. This spatial separation creates different fixation zones: the mechanical gripper provides localized secure holding while the suction air area provides distributed pressure support at a distance, preventing concentration of stress and damage at the gripping point.
4Productivity
If the drum rotates continuously to improve throughput, then productivity increases, but the precision of substrate positioning and printing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the drum rotation, allowing it to rotate continuously for high throughput while incorporating adjustable grippers and strategically positioned suction air areas that can adapt to substrate positioning requirements. The hybrid fixation system maintains substrate stability during rotation, enabling continuous operation without compromising printing precision.
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 enhances substrate handling and printing efficiency by preventing distortion and enabling reliable transfer between drums, thereby improving throughput and reducing cycle times for producing identity, value, or security documents.
Implementation Method 1
suction air provided by a suction air area of the drum for fixing the arc-shaped substrate to a second substrate area
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a printing device (200) for printing on an arc-shaped substrate (300) with a drum (202A, 202B) which is driven to rotate about a drum longitudinal axis (204), on whose outer surface (206) at least one arc-shaped substrate (300) can be fixed at least partially by means of at least one gripper (208) for fixing the arc-shaped substrate (300) to a first substrate area (302) and by means of suction air provided by a suction air area (210) of the drum (202A, 202B) for fixing the arc-shaped substrate (300) to a second substrate area (304), and with a printing device (250A, 250B) arranged radially with respect to the drum (202A, 202B).The at least one gripper (208) is attached to a mounting rod (212) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (204) of the drum, which is adjustable by means of a pressure-medium-operated lever (214) between a first pivot position, in which the at least one gripper (208) is in an open position, and a second pivot position, in which the at least one gripper (208) is in a closed position. The invention also relates to a method for printing on an arc-shaped substrate (300) with such a printing device (200).