Thermal Head Pulse Timing for Stable Printer Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal head technologies do not efficiently apply thermal energy to heating elements, as they do not consider how to allocate ON times during a scanning line time after the ON times have been determined.
Innovation Solution
A printer is configured to control thermal energy application to heating elements based on image data, using a control unit that sets multiple periods for applying energizing current during a scanning line time, from long to short, to optimize thermal energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If heat history control method is used to make thermal energy of heating element constant, then printing quality is improved, but efficiency in applying thermal energy to heating element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines ON times for heating elements in advance based on image data and heat history, then allocates these ON times to specific periods during scanning line time. This preliminary determination allows optimization of thermal energy application efficiency without compromising printing quality, as the allocation strategy accounts for the thermal characteristics and cooling effects between consecutive line scans.
2Ease of operation
If ON times of heating elements are determined without considering allocation during scanning line time, then control simplicity is maintained, but thermal energy application efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning line time is divided into multiple periods, and the control unit allocates ON times of heating elements to specific periods within this scanning line time. This segmentation allows the system to maintain relatively simple control logic while improving thermal energy application efficiency by strategically timing the energizing of heating elements to minimize cooling effects and maximize printing effectiveness.
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 approach enables efficient and stable application of thermal energy to heating elements, improving printing quality and efficiency by stabilizing thermal energy control and reducing cooling effects during wait times.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head supplies a predetermined current independently to a plurality of heating elements that are arranged in a line shape, to heat them
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention provides a printer configured to print on a print medium. The printer includes a thermal head and a control unit. The thermal head has a plurality of heating elements that are arranged in a line. The control unit is configured to control thermal energy to be applied to the plurality of heating elements, in accordance with information based on image data. The information includes whether to apply a pulse of energizing current in each of a plurality of periods being preset during a scanning line time for one line. The plurality of periods is set in an order from a long period to a short period during the scanning line time.