Thermal Print Head Signal Pattern for Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses with general-purpose CPUs and inexpensive print heads face challenges in maintaining a constant temperature and rapid temperature control, leading to excessive heat application and difficulty in developing target colors when using multiple color development layers.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a thermal head and conveyor system that generates a signal pattern combining energy application and non-application periods to control heat-generating elements, using a combination of first and second signal patterns to form print dots of individual colors and mixed colors, with the third signal pattern applying a reduced amount of energy to prevent excessive heat storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a general-purpose CPU and an inexpensive print head with large heat capacity are used, then device cost is reduced, but temperature control precision and rapid temperature response deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a thermal head that cycles between heating and non-heating states in a rhythmic pattern. The signal pattern generator creates periodic heating cycles that allow the thermal head to alternate between applying heat and dissipating heat, enabling precise temperature control through temporal periodicity rather than requiring a complex high-cost heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the heating period and intensity parameters of the thermal head based on the signal pattern. The processor modifies the heating duration and energy application parameters in real-time according to the generated signal patterns, allowing the inexpensive thermal head to achieve precise temperature control through software-based parameter modulation rather than hardware complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a signal pattern with logical sum of individual color development layer signals is used, then control simplicity is maintained, but excessive heat is applied to the print medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by generating signal patterns that apply heat selectively and partially rather than fully. The signal pattern generator creates patterns where the thermal head applies heating for specific durations and intensities that are sufficient for color development but prevent excessive heat accumulation. This partial action approach ensures that only the necessary amount of energy is applied to achieve the desired color development without wasting additional energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the processor monitors the heating process and adjusts the signal patterns accordingly. The system uses feedback from the thermal head's heating state and the print medium's temperature response to refine the signal patterns, ensuring that the correct amount of heat is applied at the correct times to prevent excessive energy consumption while maintaining color development effectiveness.
3Productivity
If rapid temperature rising and heat dissipation are required, then color development speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to achieve rapid temperature changes by implementing rhythmic heating and cooling cycles. The thermal head alternates between heating phases and non-heating phases in a periodic pattern, enabling rapid temperature rising during heating phases and natural heat dissipation during non-heating phases. This periodic operation achieves fast color development speeds without requiring complex active cooling systems or expensive high-response hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the thermal head's inherent thermal properties to achieve rapid temperature changes. The system leverages the natural heat dissipation capability of the thermal head and print medium without requiring external active cooling mechanisms. The periodic heating and natural cooling cycles enable the system to self-regulate temperature, achieving rapid color development speeds through the material's own thermal characteristics rather than complex external control systems.
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 efficient color development with high color developability by generating a third signal pattern that applies less energy than a mere logical sum of the first and second signal patterns, preventing excessive heat storage and allowing for earlier completion of print dots, thus improving color development quality.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head having a plurality of heat-generating elements aligned in a line form... generate heat based on image data... applying energy to the heat-generating elements
Data Source
AI summary
When a CPU of a printing apparatus generates a red energization pattern for causing a print medium to develop a color, the CPU generates a subtraction pattern obtained by subtracting a portion of an amount of energy from a magenta energization pattern. The CPU calculates a logical sum of a yellow energization pattern and the subtraction pattern, to generate the red energization pattern.