Reverse Unit for Duplex Thermal Transfer Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing thermal-transfer printing technologies are costly to maintain two separate printers for printing on roll type and sheet type image-receiving paper, and they often face issues with paper curling and duplex printing.

Innovation Solution

A thermal-transfer printing apparatus that includes a roll-paper-supplying unit for roll type image-receiving paper and a reverse unit for duplex printing on sheet type image-receiving paper, allowing for both printing modes with a single apparatus by reversing the sheet type paper's surface during printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a roll type of image-receiving paper is used, then transportability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the paper tends to curl causing print quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidpaper curling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a reverse unit that inverts the curled paper surface before printing. By reversing the paper orientation, the convex curvature is converted to concave, allowing the thermal head to make proper contact with the paper surface and transfer images without distortion, thus resolving the curling issue while maintaining roll paper usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The reverse unit acts as an intermediary device between the roll paper supply and the printing process. It receives the curled paper from the roll, inverts its surface orientation, and then feeds it to the thermal head, serving as a mediating mechanism that transforms the harmful curling into a printable surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate printers are prepared for roll type and sheet type image-receiving paper, then functionality for both paper types is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capability for different paper typesVSAvoidnumber of printers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds a reverse unit to an existing roll-paper printing apparatus, enabling it to perform both roll paper printing and sheet paper duplex printing functions. This multi-functional modification allows a single device to handle multiple paper types and printing modes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated printers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The reverse unit is designed to be movable and interchangeable, allowing the system to dynamically switch between roll paper mode and sheet paper duplex mode. The unit can be installed or removed based on the required printing function, providing flexible adaptability without permanent structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If a sheet type of image-receiving paper is used for duplex printing, then print quality is improved, but the apparatus complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the duplex printing function into separate modular components: a paper-feeding unit for sheet paper supply and a reverse unit for surface inversion. This segmentation allows the complex duplex printing capability to be added as discrete functional modules rather than a monolithic complex structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reverse unit introduces a new dimensional aspect to the printing system by adding a paper inversion mechanism that changes the orientation dimension of sheet paper feeding. This enables duplex printing capability through a dimensional transformation approach rather than complicating the existing linear feeding path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 cost-effective printing on roll type and duplex printing on sheet type image-receiving paper, reducing the need for two separate printers and minimizing paper curling issues.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal head for heating a thermal transfer sheet and that forms an image by transferring a color material from the thermal transfer sheet to the first image-receiving paper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11267267B2Thermal-transfer printing apparatus, thermal-transfer printing system, and reverse unit

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD

AI summary

A thermal-transfer printing apparatus includes a roll-paper-supplying unit that rotates an image-receiving paper roll and unwinds and winds a roll type of first image-receiving paper, and a print unit that includes a thermal head for heating a thermal transfer sheet and that forms an image by transferring a color material from the thermal transfer sheet to the first image-receiving paper. With the image-receiving paper roll removed, a reverse unit that reverses a sheet type of second image-receiving paper is mountable in a region in which the image-receiving paper roll used to be contained. The print unit forms the image on the first image-receiving paper in a first printing mode in which the image-receiving paper roll is contained in the region, and the print unit forms an image on both surfaces of the second image-receiving paper in a second printing mode in which the reverse unit is mounted on the region.