Roll Media Air-Blowing Control to Prevent Leading-Edge Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
The leading end of the medium may be lifted from the transport path due to airflow resulting from the blowing device, causing incorrect transportation in printing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A control unit is introduced to control the air blowing unit, starting the fan only after the leading end of the medium reaches an overlapping region with the blow port, ensuring the medium is pressed towards the transport path and preventing lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is blown toward the medium to dry ink, then drying efficiency is improved, but the leading end of the medium is lifted from the transport path
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit starts the fan only after detecting that the leading end of the medium has reached the blow port position. This preliminary timing action ensures that air is not blown at the leading end before it is ready, preventing lifting while enabling drying when appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the position of the medium's leading end relative to the blow port and uses this feedback information to control fan operation. This closed-loop control ensures air blowing occurs only when the medium is in the correct position, resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and transport accuracy
2Productivity
If air blowing is started early to dry ink, then drying efficiency is improved, but medium transportation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares by monitoring medium position in advance and only initiates air blowing when the leading end reaches the blow port. This preliminary positioning ensures smooth transport continues uninterrupted while drying occurs at the optimal moment
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
This method effectively prevents the medium from being lifted from the transport path, reducing waste and ensuring smooth transportation and efficient drying of the ink.
Implementation Method 1
The air blowing unit includes a fan configured to generate airflow and a case configured to accommodate the fan
Implementation Method 2
after the printing unit starts printing on the medium and a leading end of the medium fed from the feeding portion reaches an overlapping region that overlaps with the blow port as viewed toward air blown from the blow port, the control unit starts driving the fan
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a feeding portion configured to feed a medium from a roll; a transport unit configured to transport the fed medium along a transport path; a printing unit configured to discharge a liquid on the medium; an air blowing unit disposed downstream of the printing unit in the transport path and configured to blow air toward the medium; and a control unit configured to control blowing air by the air blowing unit, in which the air blowing unit includes a fan configured to generate airflow and a case configured to accommodate the fan, the case includes a blow port open toward the transport path, and after the printing unit starts printing on the medium and a leading end of the medium reaches an overlapping region that overlaps with the blow port as viewed toward air blown from the blow port, the control unit starts driving the fan.