Roll-Fed Recording Apparatus Control for Splice Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses generate excessive waste sheets when splices between rolls are detected, leading to potential damage of the recording head due to interference with convex spliced portions.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a first and second conveyance unit, a head for ejecting liquid, a sensor to detect splices, and a control unit that adjusts the conveyance amount to avoid spliced portions, ensuring the head starts ejecting only when no splice is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sheet is conveyed to avoid recording on the spliced portion, then the recording head is protected from damage, but the amount of waste sheet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects the spliced portion in advance before the sheet reaches the recording head. The control unit then conveys the sheet by a first conveyance amount to reposition the detected splice away from the recording area, preventing head damage while minimizing waste by only conveying the necessary distance rather than discarding entire sheets
2Reliability
If a fixed amount of sheet is conveyed each time a splice is detected, then the recording head is protected, but the amount of waste sheet increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fixed conveyance amount, the control unit dynamically adjusts the first conveyance amount based on the position of the detected spliced portion. This dynamic adjustment ensures the splice is repositioned away from the recording area while minimizing the amount of sheet conveyed, thereby reducing waste and improving overall sheet utilization
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
Reduces waste sheets and prevents damage to the recording head by accurately conveying sheets without spliced portions, maintaining conveyance accuracy and minimizing waste.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor is provided on a conveyance path of a sheet to detect a splice between sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet supplied from a roll is conveyed by a first conveyance unit and a second conveyance unit located on a downstream side of the first conveyance unit. The sheet is conveyed by a first conveyance amount while being inspected by a sensor for a spliced portion, which is a splice between sheets, and in a case where the spliced portion is not detected while the sheet is conveyed by the first conveyance amount, the first conveyance amount is changed in a control operation of causing a head to start ejecting liquid onto the sheet.