Double-Side Thermal Printer Head Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printer systems struggle with efficiently printing on both sides of thermal recording paper with thermo-sensitive layers, often requiring inversion and separate thermal heads, which complicates the process and may not achieve uniform densities across both sides.
Innovation Solution
A double-side printer system with two thermal heads positioned on either side of the paper, each with temperature sensors and controlled by a CPU that manages electrical connection times to maintain consistent densities on both sides, allowing for simultaneous and stable double-side printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single thermal head is used for thermal printing, then the device structure is simple, but printing can only be performed on one side of the paper requiring inversion for double-side printing
Solution Approach 1:
The printer is divided into two independent thermal heads (first thermal head for front surface, second thermal head for back surface) that operate simultaneously on opposite sides of the paper, eliminating the need for paper inversion and enabling continuous double-side printing
2Productivity
If two thermal heads are used for simultaneous double-side printing, then printing efficiency is improved, but maintaining uniform density on both sides becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are installed on both thermal heads to detect their respective temperatures in real-time, and the control unit adjusts the drive signals dynamically to compensate for temperature variations, ensuring uniform printing density on both sides of the paper
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit independently adjusts printing parameters (such as thermal energy application duration and intensity) for each thermal head based on detected temperature differences, allowing optimization of density uniformity for each side separately
3Area of stationary object
If thermal heads are positioned close to each other for compact design, then device size is reduced, but temperature interference between heads increases affecting print quality
Solution Approach 1:
A heat insulating plate is positioned between the two thermal heads to act as a thermal barrier, preventing heat from one head from interfering with the other head or the paper, thus maintaining print quality stability in a compact configuration
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
Enables rapid and stable double-side printing with consistent densities on both sides of the thermal recording paper, reducing the need for paper inversion and improving printing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermal head to contact a front face of the thermal recording paper and to print onto the front face, and a second thermal head to contact a back face of the thermal recording paper and to print onto the back face
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a double-side printer system in which two thermal heads (2, 4) printing print data on a front face (1a) and a back face (1b) of a thermal recording paper in which thermo-sensitive layers are formed on both sides are provided, and when these thermal heads (2, 4) are driven in accordance with the print data, temperatures of these thermal heads (2, 4) are sensed in order to vary print densities of the data to be printed, and ON/OFF times for electrical connections are controlled with respect to heater elements of the respective thermal heads (2, 4), and to a control method thereof.