Thermal Head Release Layer for Adhesive Note Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to efficiently print complex content like images, tables, and graphs on adhesive notes, and they often require specialized paper and ink, which limits their versatility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a thermal head and a de-curl unit that uses adhesive paper with a release layer, allowing for Bluetooth communication with terminals to receive and print user input, and a discharge guide unit to pop out printed notes, enabling easy printing and handling of complex content on adhesive paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a thermal type image forming apparatus is used to print on adhesive paper, then the printing process becomes simple and compact, but the paper may curl or stick to the thermal head causing printing failures
Solution Approach 1:
A release layer is introduced as an intermediary between the thermal head and the adhesive paper. This release layer prevents the adhesive paper from sticking to the thermal head during printing, while still allowing heat transfer for printing. The release layer acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between using simple adhesive paper and maintaining reliable printing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of the thermal head are modified by applying a release coating with specific thermal and adhesive parameters. This coating has controlled thermal conductivity and adhesive characteristics that allow heat passage while preventing adhesion. The parameter changes in the thermal head surface enable it to work with adhesive paper without causing sticking or curling issues.
2Ease of operation
If adhesive paper is used for printing notes, then the notes can be easily attached and detached, but the paper curls making handling and printing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The release layer serves as a mediator that reduces the curling tendency of adhesive paper. By controlling the interaction between the paper and the thermal head through this intermediate layer, the paper maintains flatter shape during printing and handling, while still retaining its adhesive properties for easy attachment and detachment.
3Ease of operation
If Bluetooth communication is used for wireless printing, then the operation becomes more convenient, but the connection may remain active after printing causing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The Bluetooth connection operates periodically rather than continuously. The connection is established for printing, then automatically disconnected after a predetermined period of inactivity. This periodic connection pattern maintains ease of operation while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to a continuously active connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the Bluetooth connection lifecycle without user intervention. The terminal device autonomously determines when to maintain connection and when to disconnect based on printing status and time elapsed, enabling self-service energy management that balances convenience and power consumption.
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 easy printing of complex content on adhesive notes with improved print quality and reduced paper jam issues, while the de-curl unit and discharge guide unit facilitate smooth handling and adherence of printed notes.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal type image forming apparatus may include a thermal head for selectively heating a plurality of heat generating elements
Implementation Method 2
a de-curl unit which may include a first de-curl roller correcting the curl of the recording medium by giving a curve in an opposite direction to the curl of the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal receives contents to be written on a note by a user, a server stores and manages print data generated by a plurality of users and outputs the print data to an image forming apparatus which outputs the print data in the form of an adhesive note. The image forming apparatus includes a de-curl unit for correcting the curl of a recording medium and causes the recording medium on which printing is performed to be popped out through an outlet. The server communicates with a plurality of terminals and includes a control unit which generates a virtual conference space by assigning a storage address to the virtual conference space when a request of generating a virtual conference space and identification information on an image forming apparatus to be used in the virtual conference space from among the plurality of terminals is received.