Stamp-face platemaking device with cutout portion detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stamp-face platemaking devices are inefficient in detecting the size of the stamp face material, leading to failed platemaking and waste due to the large size and high cost of thermal heads, as well as the inability to accurately sense the size of the stamp face material, resulting in incorrect insertions.
Innovation Solution
A stamp-face platemaking device with a cutout portion detecting unit and size setting unit that uses a medium holder with a cutout portion, such as a wedge-like or U-shaped design, to accurately detect the size of the stamp face material, preventing incorrect insertions and reducing costs by using a conventional thermal head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a carriage in the drive mechanism for the thermal head is used, then the thermal head can be driven, but the device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the carriage mechanism from the system entirely. Instead of using a carriage to drive the thermal head, the invention uses a stationary thermal head that processes the medium holder as it passes through, thereby eliminating the space-consuming carriage structure while maintaining thermal head driving capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the medium holder move through a stationary thermal head rather than moving the thermal head through a carriage mechanism. This inversion eliminates the need for a carriage while achieving the same functional result of thermal processing
2Ease of operation
If an edge head is used as the thermal head, then thermal processing can be performed, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a conventional thermal head design that is more economical compared to expensive edge heads. The system is designed to work effectively with standard, cost-effective thermal head technology, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining thermal processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the thermal processing parameters and medium holder design to work efficiently with conventional thermal heads, achieving effective thermal processing without requiring expensive edge head technology
3Productivity
If the size of the stamp face material is not detected, then the platemaking device can operate, but platemaking fails and materials are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of the stamp face material size using sensors before the platemaking process begins. The system reads size information from the medium holder and verifies it matches the required specifications, preventing failed platemaking and material waste by ensuring correct materials are processed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the platemaking device detects the size of the stamp face material through sensors, compares it with the required size, and provides feedback to control the platemaking process. This ensures only correctly sized materials are processed, improving platemaking success rate and preventing waste
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 enables accurate detection of the stamp face material size, preventing platemaking failures and reducing costs by using a conventional thermal head without increasing device size or cost, while allowing for various shapes and sizes of stamp face materials.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that detects respective positions of a top end portion of the medium holder on a sensor scanning line in an inserting direction, one cutout end portion of the cutout portion, and the other cutout end portion of the cutout portion
Implementation Method 2
presses a thermal head against the surface of the porous sheet to move the stamp plate, selectively heats the heating element of the thermal head, and forms a stamp face on the stamp plate, the stamp face being formed with a melted and solidified portion that blocks ink and an unmelted portion through which ink passes
Implementation Method 3
forms a stamp face on the stamp plate, the stamp face being formed with a melted and solidified portion
Data Source
AI summary
A stamp-face platemaking device transports a medium holder inserted into a plate insertion portion to a printing unit. The medium holder holds a stamp face material at a center portion of a plate-like member, and has a cutout portion in one side end portion thereof. An optical sensor detects the top end portion of the medium holder on a sensor scanning line in the inserting direction, and the cutout start point and the cutout end point of the cutout portion. The size of the stamp face material in the inserting direction and/or the size of the stamp face material in a direction perpendicular to the inserting direction are set based on the positions of two of the detected end portions. When the cutout end point is detected, platemaking with the stamp face material is started. The cutout portion can have a wedge-like shape or a U-shape, or can change its positions and/or sizes.