Printing Apparatus Roller Displacement for Medium Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing the position of media during printing and reducing inter-medium distance for improved print quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus configuration that includes a specific second roller which can displace between abutting and non-abutting positions, controlled by a unit that manages the rollers and print unit to release force on the medium, allowing for stabilization and efficient medium transportation, including the use of drive sources to manage roller rotation and medium supply timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the second roller continuously abuts against the medium during transportation, then the medium position can be controlled, but the medium position stability deteriorates due to continuous force application
Solution Approach 1:
The second roller is configured to abut against the medium only during specific intervals (when not holding the leading edge) and separate during other intervals (when the third roller holds the leading edge). This periodic abutment and separation action allows the medium position to be controlled when needed while maintaining stability when the roller separates, resolving the contradiction between position control and position stability.
2Productivity
If the second roller remains in abutment position, then medium control is maintained, but inter-medium distance increases reducing print efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The second roller alternates between abutment position and separation position in synchronization with the leading edge detection and third roller operation. By separating the second roller from the medium during the holding phase, the system reduces inter-medium distance and improves print efficiency while maintaining medium control during the abutment phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The second roller is positioned to abut against the medium in advance of the third roller's holding action, and separates after the leading edge is detected. This preliminary and sequential positioning allows the medium to be controlled during transportation while minimizing the distance between media during the printing process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the specific second roller is separated from the medium early, then medium position stability improves, but medium control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The second roller maintains a periodic cycle of abutment and separation based on leading edge detection. The roller abuts against the medium to provide control during transportation, then separates when the third roller holds the leading edge to allow position stability. This periodic action ensures both control and stability are achieved at appropriate times in the medium handling cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a print unit; a first roller that transport the medium; a plurality of second rollers cooperating with the first roller to nip the medium therebetween at positions that face the first rollers; a third roller that holds the medium which has been transported by the first roller and transport the medium to a print path in which printing is performed by the print unit; a specific second roller located most downstream in the transportation path among the second rollers; and a control unit that controls each of the roller and the print unit, wherein the control unit causes the specific second roller to be displaced to a separated position after the medium is held by the third roller.