Printing Apparatus Test Medium Mounting Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face difficulties in performing test printing on fabrics due to challenges in loading and unloading test media, which affects the accuracy of nozzle discharge position correction.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a mounting portion and opening portion configuration that allows easy and stable mounting of test media, using a transporting belt with rollers to prevent tension and deformation, and incorporating a scanner for automatic image reading after test printing, with a test medium having higher stiffness than the recording medium to enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a test medium made of the same material as the recording medium is used, then the test printing can be performed on the same material, but it is difficult to perform loading and unloading operations of the test medium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading and unloading operationVSAvoidtest printing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a test medium that is a copy or replica of the recording medium (fabric) but with different handling properties. This allows the test medium to be easily loaded and unloaded through the opening portion while still providing accurate test printing results that reflect the actual recording medium characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The test medium is designed as a disposable item that can be easily mounted and removed. After use, the test medium is discarded and a new one is mounted, eliminating the complexity of loading and unloading operations while maintaining test printing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If the test medium is set from the downstream side the belt, then the test printing can be performed, but the belt needs to be reversed and the already printed part may come into contact with the belt again before cleaning and become dirty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest medium mounting operationVSAvoidcontamination of printed part

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by allowing the test medium to be mounted from the upstream side (opposite to the normal downstream direction). This eliminates the need to reverse the belt and prevents the printed portion from contacting the belt again, avoiding contamination while maintaining easy mounting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the test medium has flexibility like fabric, then it can be used for fabric printing tests, but it is difficult to prevent deformation during mounting and printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest medium compatibilityVSAvoidnozzle discharge position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the test medium by using a material with higher stiffness than conventional fabric test media. This parameter change (increased stiffness) prevents deformation during mounting and printing, ensuring accurate nozzle discharge position measurement while still being compatible with fabric printing applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3332977B1Printing apparatus and printing method

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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AI summary

A printing apparatus (1) includes a printing portion that performs printing by discharging inks onto a recording medium, a transporting belt (53) that includes a mounting portion (17) in which a test medium (200) on which a test printing is performed by discharging the inks is mounted before performing printing, and a guide portion (181) that guides the test medium (200) to the mounting portion (17) at the time of mounting the test medium (200) on the mounting portion (17). In addition, it is preferable that the test medium (200) have a higher stiffness than the recording medium.