Roller Tensioning Device Using Elastic Spring for Print Streak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers using rolls of paper face issues with streaks due to the continued rotary movement of paper rolls after printing, which existing solutions attempt to address with additional braking mechanisms, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A roll tensioning device with a tension spring arranged between the carrier axle and a sleeve, allowing the sleeve to rotate and tension the roll using the spring's restoring force, eliminating the need for additional braking and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brake is installed to stop the roller after printing, then the roller can be brought to a standstill, but this leads to increased costs and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is equipped with a tension spring that automatically tensions the medium and controls roller deceleration without requiring external braking intervention. The spring stores energy during roller rotation and releases it to maintain tension and control stopping, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for separate braking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The tension spring provides dynamic tensioning that adapts to the roller's motion state. As the roller rotates and decelerates, the spring dynamically adjusts the tension force applied to the medium, ensuring consistent tension throughout the stopping process without rigid mechanical constraints
2Manufacturing precision
If an additional roller brake is installed to prevent continued rotation, then streaking is avoided, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring automatically maintains proper tension on the medium during roller deceleration, preventing streaking through self-regulating elastic force rather than requiring expensive additional braking components
Solution Approach 2:
The tension spring changes the physical state of the medium from loose to tensioned during roller deceleration. By applying elastic restoring force, the spring maintains consistent medium tension parameters throughout the roller's motion, ensuring uniform print quality without additional braking hardware
3Reliability
If a slipping clutch is installed as a shaft-hub connection to avoid unwinding under web tension, then web tension control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring attached to the carrier axle automatically controls web tension through its elastic properties. As the roller rotates or decelerates, the spring self-regulates the tension force applied to the medium, eliminating the need for complex slipping clutch mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The tension spring dynamically adjusts web tension parameters based on roller motion. The elastic force of the spring automatically compensates for changes in roller speed and position, maintaining optimal web tension without requiring sophisticated mechanical connections
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 prevents streaks by ensuring a cost-effective and efficient tensioning of the roll without additional braking, maintaining a simple construction and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the roller is partially turned back in a simple manner by the restoring force of the tensioning spring
Implementation Method 2
The design of the outer lateral surface of the sleeve and the inner lateral surface of the roller as a friction surface ensures in a simple manner that the inner lateral surface of the roller and the outer lateral surface of the sleeve are frictionally connected to one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The roller tensioning device has a fixed carrier axis (1) and a casing (2) partially enclosing the carrier axis. A pretensioning device is arranged between the carrier axis and the casing. The pretensioning device is fixed at the carrier axis and at the casing. The casing is rotated at an angle around a longitudinal axis of the carrier axis. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a printer with a printing unit; and (2) a method for tensioning a roller of a printing medium to be printed in a printer with a roller tensioning device.