Segmented Roller Transport with Localized Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in accurately detecting the amount of target transport while preventing meandering, as the deformation of the target due to ink absorption and swelling affects the image capturing device's ability to monitor the transport amount.
Innovation Solution
A target transport apparatus with pinching portions disposed at intervals in the width direction, combined with a non-contact transport amount detection unit positioned to detect the pinched area, ensures minimal deformation and accurate detection, even when the target warps or absorbs ink, by maintaining a consistent distance between the detection unit and the target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the transport slave roller is configured as a plurality of segmented roller members disposed at intervals in the width direction to suppress meandering, then the target is suppressed from meandering in the width direction, but the areas between adjacent segmented roller members are not pinched and thus deform locally when absorbing ink and swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the image capturing device specifically over the pinched area between segmented roller members, where the target is constrained and maintains its original shape. This localized approach allows accurate detection in the stable region while ignoring deformation in the unpinched regions between roller members.
2Measurement precision
If the image capturing device is positioned to detect the target surface, then the transport amount can be detected, but the distance between the device and target changes when the target deforms due to ink absorption and swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the image capturing device in advance over the pinched area where the target maintains its original shape before ink absorption occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that the detection is always performed on a stable reference area, preventing distance changes due to subsequent deformation from ink absorption or heating.
3Quantity of substance
If the target absorbs ink and swells, then the target thickness increases, but this deformation affects the image capturing device's ability to clearly capture the relief on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent focuses the image capturing device on the local pinched area between segmented roller members, where the target thickness remains constant despite overall swelling from ink absorption. This localized detection approach allows the system to ignore the thickness changes in unpinched regions while accurately capturing the surface relief in the constrained region.
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 configuration allows for precise detection of target transport amount without influencing the target's thickness or deformation, ensuring accurate monitoring and preventing meandering, while maintaining a stable detection area even after ink absorption or heating.
Implementation Method 1
a transport unit that has a plurality of pinching portions disposed at intervals in a width direction that intersects with a transport direction of a target and that imparts a transport force on the target by the pinching portion pinching the target
Implementation Method 2
a transport amount detection unit, disposed in a location that corresponds to a pinched area in the width direction of the target that is pinched by the pinching portion and to the pinched area along the transport direction, that detects, without making contact with the target, an amount by which the target is transported by the transport unit
Data Source
AI summary
A target transport apparatus includes a transport roller pair that has a plurality of segmented roller members disposed at intervals in a width direction that intersects with a transport direction of continuous paper and that imparts a transport force on the continuous paper by the segmented roller members pinching the continuous paper; and an image capturing unit, disposed in a location that corresponds to a pinched area in the width direction of the continuous paper that is pinched by the segmented roller members and to the pinched area along the transport direction, that detects, without making contact with the continuous paper, an amount by which the continuous paper is transported by the transport roller pair.