Printing Apparatus Dual Movement Mechanism for Transport Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses with endless belt configurations face issues with low medium transport accuracy, which affects image quality, and increasing travel speed is challenging when using linear motors.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a dual movement mechanism, combining a rotary motor and endless belt for high-speed movement outside the printing region and a linear motor for high accuracy within the printing region, allowing the control unit to switch between these mechanisms based on the support portion's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rotary motor and endless belt are used to move the support portion, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the medium transport accuracy decreases affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The movement region is divided into two segments: a first range where high-precision linear movement is required (printing region) and a second range where high-speed belt movement is acceptable (non-printing region). This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different movement mechanisms are applied to different spatial regions: the linear movement mechanism is used specifically in the printing region where precision is critical, while the belt mechanism is used in non-printing regions where speed is prioritized. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying precision only where necessary.
2Manufacturing precision
If a linear motor is used to move the support portion, then the medium transport accuracy increases improving image quality, but the travel speed decreases reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The movement timeline is segmented into two phases: high-precision linear movement during the printing phase (first range) and high-speed belt movement during non-printing phases (second range). This temporal and spatial segmentation allows the system to achieve both precision and speed by using the appropriate mechanism at the appropriate time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two movement mechanisms based on the operational requirements: linear motor for precision-critical printing operations and belt mechanism for speed-critical transport operations. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing performance for each operational phase.
3Manufacturing precision
If a dual movement mechanism is implemented, then both image quality and printing speed are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive high-precision linear movement mechanism is deployed only in the printing region where it is absolutely necessary, while the simpler and more cost-effective belt mechanism handles non-printing regions. This localized deployment reduces overall system cost and complexity while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using high-precision linear movement for the entire movement range, the system applies it only partially during the printing phase, accepting lower precision during non-printing phases. This partial application of precision technology reduces cost and complexity while maintaining adequate overall performance.
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 enhances both image quality and printing speed by utilizing high-accuracy linear movement during printing and high-speed belt movement when not printing, while also reducing costs by limiting the use of the more expensive linear movement mechanism to necessary areas.
Implementation Method 1
a linear movement mechanism configured to move the support portion with a linear motor
Implementation Method 2
a belt movement mechanism including a rotary motor and an endless belt coupled to a rotor of the rotary motor, and configured to move the support portion by rotating the endless belt through rotating the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a printing apparatus including a support portion supporting a medium, a movement unit configured to move the support portion in a movement direction, a printing unit configured to perform printing on the medium when the support portion is in a printing region, and a control unit configured to control movement of the support portion. The movement unit includes a belt movement mechanism configured to move the support portion by rotating an endless belt, and a linear movement mechanism configured to move the support portion with a linear motor. The control unit moves the support portion with the linear movement mechanism when the support portion moves in the first range with the printing unit performing printing on the medium and moves the support portion with the belt movement mechanism when the support portion moves within the second range.