Thermal Head Controller Dynamic Energization for Ribbon Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In thermal transfer printing devices, excessive energy application to the ink ribbon can lead to damage and deteriorated print quality, particularly due to the phenomenon of 'broken ribbon' where the ink ribbon melts and breaks, causing printing to stop.

Innovation Solution

A printing device with a thermal head and a head controller that adjusts the energization time of heater elements based on the width of the ink ribbon, using thresholds to determine the appropriate energization time to prevent damage, by comparing the number of heater elements to energize and the acquired temperature with set thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If excessive energy is applied to the ink ribbon to ensure printing completion, then printing productivity is improved, but the ink ribbon may be damaged causing broken ribbon

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidink ribbon integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the energization time variable rather than fixed. The head controller dynamically adjusts the energization time of heater elements based on the number of heater elements to be energized, which corresponds to the width of the ink ribbon. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the total energy applied to the ink ribbon remains within safe limits while adapting to different printing widths and patterns, thus preventing broken ribbon while maintaining high printing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If high energy is applied to complete printing quickly, then printing time is reduced, but print quality deteriorates due to ink ribbon damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting timeVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the energization time parameter of the heater elements based on the printing conditions. Specifically, the head controller changes the energization time according to the number of heater elements to be energized, which reflects the ink ribbon width. This parameter adjustment ensures optimal energy delivery for each printing scenario, maintaining print quality while minimizing printing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the energization time is extended to ensure complete printing, then printing completeness is improved, but the risk of ink ribbon melting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting completenessVSAvoidink ribbon melting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by having the head controller determine the energization time based on the number of heater elements to be energized, which is derived from the printing data and ink ribbon width information. This feedback mechanism ensures that the energization time is appropriately adjusted according to the actual printing conditions, completing the printing process reliably while preventing excessive energy application that could cause ink ribbon melting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution effectively reduces the risk of ink ribbon damage, ensuring consistent print quality by dynamically adjusting the energization time according to the printing environment and ribbon width, thereby preventing issues like broken ribbon and maintaining uninterrupted printing.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal head comprising heater elements arrayed into a line along an array direction intersecting a conveying direction of a printing medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

ink applied on an ink ribbon is transferred to a printing medium for printing by controlling energization of heater elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10124600B2Printing device, printing method, and nonvolatile computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A printing device includes a thermal head and a head controller. The head controller acquires a number of heater elements to energize based on the line print data, and determines an energization time of one or more heater elements corresponding to the line print data according to a result of comparison between the number of heater elements to energize and a first threshold, wherein in a case where a width of an ink ribbon heated by the energization is equal to or wider than a second threshold, the first threshold being set to be a value that is greater than a value that is set for the first threshold when the width of the ink ribbon heated by the energization is narrower than the second threshold.