Rotating Belt Transport Mechanism for Liquid Ink Media Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium transporting apparatuses face challenges in ensuring proper alignment of media recorded by liquid-based printing devices when stacking, due to sliding resistance issues between media with adhered liquids, leading to misalignment and inefficiencies in stacking.

Innovation Solution

A medium transporting apparatus with a rotating mechanism that switches transport direction, utilizing a flap system with adjustable contact surfaces and an adsorption mechanism like suction or electrostatic adsorption, combined with a stacker alignment unit, to extend drying time and facilitate smooth stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the medium is stacked on the stacker while maintaining the first transport direction, then the stacking speed is improved, but the alignment of the following medium deteriorates due to sliding resistance between media with adhered liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking speedVSAvoidalignment of following medium

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by switching the transport direction from the first direction to the second direction (opposite direction) before stacking. This reverse direction transport allows the medium to be deposited gently on the stacker, reducing sliding resistance and improving alignment, while still maintaining efficient stacking through the rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamics by making the transport direction changeable through the rotation mechanism. The transport direction is dynamically switched from the first direction to the second direction based on the stacking requirements, allowing the system to adapt between speed and precision modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the transport direction is switched from the first transport direction to the second transport direction, then the alignment of the following medium is improved, but the stacking time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment of following mediumVSAvoidstacking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action through the rotation mechanism that periodically switches the transport direction. The system alternates between first direction transport (for feeding) and second direction transport (for stacking), creating a rhythmic operation pattern that balances alignment quality with stacking efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transport direction parameter from the first direction to the second direction before stacking. This parameter change allows the medium to be transported in the opposite direction, reducing sliding resistance and improving alignment without permanently increasing stacking time, as the system quickly switches back to the first direction for continuous feeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a suction conveyor is used to transport the medium from above, then the stacking operation is simplified, but the sliding resistance between media with adhered liquid causes misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking operation complexityVSAvoidalignment of medium

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by switching the transport direction to the second direction (opposite to the conventional downward stacking) before depositing the medium on the stacker. This reverse direction transport counteracts the sliding resistance caused by adhered liquid, improving alignment while maintaining the simplicity of the suction conveyor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 ensures improved alignment and efficient stacking by reducing sliding resistance and extending the time for liquid drying, allowing for stable transport and precise alignment of media on the stacker, even when using liquid-based recording technologies.

Implementation Method 1

an adsorption mechanism that adsorbs the medium to the transport belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

an adsorption mechanism like suction or electrostatic adsorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic adsorption: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP3546405B1Medium transporting apparatus and corresponding post-processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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AI summary

A medium transporting apparatus (11) includes an adsorption mechanism (30) that adsorbs a medium (12) to an annular transport belt (29), a rotation mechanism (40) that rotates the transport belt in a first rotation direction (A1) or a second rotation direction (A2) that is opposite to the first rotation direction, and an intermediate stacker (32) on which the medium transported by the transport belt is stacked, in which the adsorption mechanism adsorbs an upper surface (12b) that is opposite to a lower surface (12a) of the medium on the intermediate stacker side, and after rotating the transport belt, to which the medium is adsorbed, in the first rotation direction to transport the medium in a first transport direction, the rotation mechanism rotates the transport belt in the second rotation direction to transport the medium in a second transport direction so as to stack the medium on the intermediate stacker.