Recording Apparatus Wave Pattern Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a wave pattern on a medium during transportation, which can lead to inconsistent recording quality and difficulty in upgrading to higher resolution recording due to the tendency of the wave pattern to be flattened by transport rollers.

Innovation Solution

A recording apparatus is designed with an upstream-side transport section that includes transport roller pairs arranged in the width direction, which nip and transport either the first or second convex portions of the medium, preventing the removal of the wave pattern formed by a wave-pattern-forming section disposed upstream. This configuration ensures the wave pattern is maintained, allowing for better recording quality and easier transportation of the medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a wave-pattern-forming section is disposed immediately downstream of a transport roller pair, then the wave pattern can be formed on the medium, but the transport roller pair tends to flatten the wave pattern due to tension generated by nipping the medium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave patternVSAvoidwave pattern maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wave-pattern-forming section is disposed upstream of the upstream-side transport section in the medium transport direction. This preliminary action ensures that the wave pattern is formed on the medium before it enters the transport section, allowing the pattern to be established prior to any potential flattening forces during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transport roller pairs are configured to nip only specific portions of the medium - either only the first convex portions or only the second convex portions of the wave pattern. This localized nipping approach allows the medium to be transported while preserving the wave pattern structure, as the nipping occurs at specific locations rather than uniformly across the entire medium width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If transport roller pairs nip the medium to transport it, then the medium can be moved through the recording apparatus, but the wave pattern formed on the medium is removed or flattened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedium transportVSAvoidwave pattern
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The transport roller pairs are configured to nip only specific portions of the medium - either only the first convex portions or only the second convex portions of the wave pattern. This localized nipping approach allows the medium to be transported while preserving the wave pattern structure, as the nipping occurs at specific locations rather than uniformly across the entire medium width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wave pattern region is narrow in the medium transport direction, then the transport roller pair can maintain the wave pattern, but it becomes difficult to extend the recording unit in the medium transport direction for higher resolution recording

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave pattern maintenanceVSAvoidrecording unit scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wave-pattern-forming section is disposed upstream of the upstream-side transport section in the medium transport direction. This preliminary action ensures that the wave pattern is formed on the medium before it enters the transport section, allowing the pattern to be established prior to any potential flattening forces during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution effectively maintains the wave pattern on the medium, enhancing recording quality and enabling smoother transportation, thus supporting consistent and improved recording performance.

Implementation Method 1

the transport roller pairs nip and transport the medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3409485B1Recording apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3409485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3409485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3409485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Convex portions (T, V) formed on a sheet of paper (P) by a forming section (30) are maintained in a favorable condition and good recording quality is obtained.