Printing Device Linear Drive for Low-Wear Substrate Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing devices suffer from high maintenance frequency due to mechanical wear and inaccurate positioning of print substrate supports, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A printing device utilizing a conveyor system with a linear drive and magnetic levitation technology, featuring a track and a print substrate support that engages above or below the track, allowing low-friction, contact-free movement, and precise positioning using electromagnetic coils and magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If individual mechanical devices are used to move print substrate supports, then the printing device can operate with multiple stations, but the maintenance frequency increases and positioning accuracy decreases due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive system with an electromagnetic linear drive system. Instead of using mechanical motors, gears, and belts to move print substrate supports between stations, the invention uses electromagnetic coils and magnets to generate linear motion. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and wear, thereby reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining the ability to operate multiple printing stations, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Device complexity
If mechanical devices are used for moving print substrate supports, then the structure can be simple, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic linear drive system replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with an electromagnetic field-based system. The linear drive uses controlled electromagnetic forces to achieve precise positioning without mechanical wear, maintaining structural simplicity while dramatically improving positioning accuracy between printing stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from mechanical force to electromagnetic force. By controlling the electromagnetic fields through electrical parameters (current, voltage, frequency), the system achieves precise control over the position and movement of print substrate supports, improving manufacturing precision without increasing mechanical complexity.
3Device complexity
If contact-based conveyor means are used, then the structure can be simple, but friction increases leading to higher maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic linear drive creates contactless force transmission between the stationary base body and the moving print substrate support. Electromagnetic fields penetrate through space to exert force without physical contact, eliminating friction entirely. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple conveyor structure while removing the energy loss associated with friction.
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
Enables low-maintenance operation with accurate substrate positioning, reducing mechanical wear and improving printing precision.
Implementation Method 1
a linear drive, which is configured to move the at least one print substrate support along the base body... The linear drive can comprise at least one electrical coil and at least one magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, wherein a movement of the print substrate support relative to the base body of the printing device or relative to the track can be effected on the basis of a relative movement between the at least one electrical coil and the at least one magnet
Implementation Method 2
A first basic concept behind the present invention consists in providing a conveyor means integrated in the printing device, which is configured to deliver the at least one print substrate support along a track to the individual stations, in particular at least one printing station, with low friction and preferably with no contact between track and print substrate support or between conveyor means and print substrate support
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a printing device having a base body, at least one loading station, at least one printing station for printing a print substrate and at least one print substrate support for receiving the print substrate to be printed, wherein the print substrate support can be moved between the stations of the printing device, wherein the base body is configured with a conveyor means, by which the print substrate support can be delivered to the at least one printing station, wherein the conveyor means comprises at least one linear drive, which is configured to move the at least one print substrate support along the base body, wherein the base body is formed with at least one track, along which the print substrate support can be conveyed and wherein the print substrate support engages at least partially above and/or below the track, wherein means for carrying a load of the print substrate support are provided on the base body, into which means the print substrate support engages.