Thermal Printer Ribbon Separation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thermal printers, the existing methods for stopping ribbon conveyance in non-printing areas are inefficient, leading to prolonged stopping times and ribbon wastage due to the need to gradually decelerate the sheet conveyance speed, which does not match the ribbon conveyance speed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control mechanism that separates the ribbon from the sheet when a non-printing area exceeds a certain distance, allowing the sheet to be conveyed at a slower speed while stopping the ribbon conveyance, thereby reducing ribbon consumption and printing completion time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the ribbon conveyance is stopped in a non-printing area, then the ribbon consumption is reduced, but the sheet conveyance time is prolonged due to gradual deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveyance control into two independent systems: ribbon conveyance and sheet conveyance. The ribbon conveyance mechanism can be stopped independently in non-printing areas, while the sheet conveyance mechanism continues moving at a reduced speed. This segmentation allows the ribbon to be saved without requiring the entire system to decelerate gradually, thus reducing both ribbon waste and total conveyance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed control where the sheet conveyance speed is adjusted based on the presence of printing areas. In non-printing areas, the sheet speed is reduced while the ribbon is stopped. When a printing area is detected, the sheet speed is increased again. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both ribbon consumption and overall processing time.
2Loss of substance
If the sheet conveyance speed is reduced to match ribbon stopping, then the ribbon waste is minimized, but the printing completion time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the control of ribbon conveyance from sheet conveyance, allowing independent optimization of each. The ribbon conveyance is stopped completely in non-printing areas to eliminate waste, while the sheet conveyance is only partially reduced in speed. This segmentation enables minimal ribbon waste without significantly impacting printing completion time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic speed adjustment of the sheet conveyance based on the periodic structure of the label sheet (printing areas alternating with non-printing areas). The sheet speed is reduced during non-printing areas and increased during printing areas, creating a periodic speed pattern that minimizes ribbon waste while maintaining acceptable productivity.
3Loss of substance
If the ribbon is stopped quickly, then the ribbon consumption is reduced, but the mechanical stress on the conveyance mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stopping action to apply only to the ribbon conveyance mechanism, isolating it from the sheet conveyance mechanism. This allows the ribbon to be stopped quickly without imposing abrupt stopping stresses on the sheet conveyance system, which continues operating smoothly at a reduced speed.
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 reduces ribbon consumption and shortens the time required to stop the ribbon, optimizing the thermal printer's operation by decelerating the sheet conveyance speed only when necessary and maintaining high sheet conveyance speed in non-printing areas.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head configured to heat the ribbon to carry out printing of printing data on the sheet contacted with the ribbon
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal printer comprises a sheet conveyance mechanism configured to convey a sheet formed by attaching labels on a mount; a ribbon conveyance mechanism configured to convey a ribbon; a thermal head configured to heat the ribbon to carry out printing of printing data on the sheet contacted with the ribbon; and a head moving mechanism configured to control the thermal head if a non-printing area is longer than a first distance based on the printing data to separate the ribbon from the sheet; wherein the ribbon conveyance mechanism stops the conveyance of the ribbon if the non-printing area is longer than the first distance; and the sheet conveyance mechanism controls, if the non-printing area is longer than the first distance, the sheet conveyance speed to a second speed slower than a first speed applied in a case of conveying a printing area.