Printing Device Skew Correction Control for Width Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing devices face downtime when substrates with different widths are transported, as existing systems cannot continuously correct skew without manual intervention, leading to potential substrate breakage.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a controller that detects width changes using sensors and adjusts the skew correction mechanism to allow continuous substrate transport by stopping and restarting skew correction operations at specific positions, ensuring the substrate width is updated automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the skew correction section continuously corrects skew during substrate transport, then the substrate may break when width size changes, but if manual intervention is implemented to stop skew correction, then downtime occurs and device capability is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The skew correction section dynamically adjusts its operation state based on real-time substrate width detection. The control unit receives width information from the width detection unit and automatically switches the skew correction section between correction and non-correction modes, enabling adaptive response to width changes without manual intervention or substrate breakage
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control loop is established where the width detection unit continuously monitors substrate width, feeds this information to the control unit, which then adjusts the skew correction section's operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic adaptation to width changes, preventing breakage while maintaining continuous operation
2Reliability
If the operator manually transports the substrate through the skew correction section, then substrate breakage is prevented, but the printing device experiences downtime and cannot fully utilize its capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting width changes and adjusting skew correction operation without operator intervention. The control unit autonomously processes width detection data and controls the skew correction section, eliminating the need for manual substrate handling while maintaining substrate integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical intervention by the operator is replaced with an automated detection and control system. The width detection unit and control unit form an automated system that substitutes human operation, enabling continuous machine-to-machine control without manual substrate transport
3Reliability
If the skew correction section stops to prevent substrate breakage during width changes, then substrate integrity is maintained, but continuous transportation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The skew correction section transitions from a static on/off control to dynamic adaptive control based on substrate width. The system continuously monitors width and adjusts correction operation in real-time, maintaining both substrate integrity and continuous transport capability through responsive adaptation to width changes
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device includes: a substrate feed-out section; a substrate transport section; a storage which stores the width size of the substrate; a skew correction section including a skew sensor which detects the skew of the substrate, and adapted to correct the skew of the substrate with reference to an output of the skew sensor and the substrate width size stored in the storage; an image recording section which performs an image recording operation on the substrate; a first sensor which detects a width size-changed portion of the substrate upstream of the skew correction section with respect to the transport direction; and a controller. Upon the detection of the width size-changed portion, the controller stops the substrate skew correction while continuously transporting the substrate. After the width size-changed portion of the substrate reaches a reference position downstream of the skew correction section, the controller restarts the skew correction.