Thermal Printer Ribbon Guide With Elastic Cushioning for Backfeed
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat-transfer printer apparatuses where the conveyance of the print sheet and ink ribbon is driven by a single source, the ink ribbon can become loosened during backfeed, leading to sudden pulling and impact at the print start, which lowers print quality.
Innovation Solution
A printer apparatus with a single driving source, incorporating a platen roller, winding reel, guide member, and an elastic member such as an EPDM rubber sheet to guide and absorb the impact of the ink ribbon during backfeed, ensuring consistent contact and preventing loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single driving source is used to convey both print sheet and ink ribbon, then device complexity is reduced and cost is saved, but the ink ribbon becomes loosened during backfeed causing impact and print quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is introduced as an intermediary between the ink ribbon and the guide member. This mediator absorbs the inertial force generated during backfeed by deforming elastically, preventing the ink ribbon from becoming loosened and avoiding sudden impact when printing resumes. The elastic member thus mediates the force transmission while maintaining ink ribbon tension stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-installed in the ink ribbon path between the guide member and the ink ribbon. During backfeed, when inertial force causes the ink ribbon to loosen, the elastic member has already been positioned to absorb this shock, cushioning the system against the harmful impact before it reaches the print head and platen roller.
2Ease of operation
If the ink ribbon is loosened during backfeed, then the single driving source operation is simple, but the print quality deteriorates due to sudden pulling and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves as an intermediary that protects the printing system from the harmful effects of ink ribbon loosening during simple backfeed operations. It absorbs the inertial force and prevents sudden impact on the print head, thereby maintaining print quality while allowing ease of operation with a single driving source.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is pre-positioned to provide cushioning during backfeed operations. When the ink ribbon loosens due to inertial force, the elastic member has already been configured to absorb this shock, preventing impact on the printing components and maintaining manufacturing precision of the print output.
3Device complexity
If no elastic member is used, then device complexity is lower, but the ink ribbon impact causes blurry or faint printing
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is introduced as a simple intermediary component between the ink ribbon and the rigid guide member. This single elastic element absorbs impact forces during backfeed, preventing blurry or faint printing while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member provides beforehand cushioning in the ink ribbon path, positioned between the guide member and the ink ribbon. This simple elastic component is pre-configured to absorb inertial forces during backfeed, preventing impact on the print head and maintaining print quality without requiring complex structural modifications.
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 elastic member absorbs the impact of the suddenly pulled ink ribbon, maintaining print quality by preventing blurry or faint printing due to loosening during backfeed.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member is attached to a surface of the guide member, the surface guiding only the ink ribbon towards the winding reel
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a printer apparatus includes a guide member that guides an ink ribbon and a print sheet nipped by a thermal head and a platen roller and guides only the ink ribbon after the printing towards the winding reel. The printer apparatus further includes a sheet-like elastic member attached to a surface of surfaces in contact with the ink ribbon of the guide member, the surface guiding only the ink ribbon after the printing towards the winding reel.