Thermal Transfer Printing Control for Fast, Quiet Overcoat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal transfer printers face limitations in print processing speed due to excessive friction and resonance during overcoat transfer, which generate abnormal noise and restrict processing speed, especially when increasing the speed of overcoat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that dynamically adjust the pressing force and processing speed during color ink and overcoat transfer by using a thermal head, with separate pressing states and speeds for each transfer process to optimize conditions and prevent defects like abnormal noise and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the processing speed during overcoat transfer is increased, then print processing speed is improved, but abnormal noise is generated by excessive friction and resonance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pressing force adjustable and variable during the overcoat transfer process. The pressing force is reduced during overcoat transfer compared to color ink transfer, and this reduced pressing force is maintained dynamically throughout the overcoat transfer process to prevent friction-induced noise while allowing high-speed processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressing force parameter specifically for overcoat transfer operations. By setting a lower pressing force parameter during overcoat transfer compared to color ink transfer, the system reduces friction and resonance that cause abnormal noise, thereby enabling increased processing speed without noise generation
2Manufacturing precision
If the pressing force is increased during color ink transfer, then ink transfer quality is improved, but friction and resonance increase during overcoat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing process into distinct phases: color ink transfer and overcoat transfer. Each phase has its own optimized pressing force settings. During color ink transfer, higher pressing force ensures quality, while during overcoat transfer, reduced pressing force prevents friction and resonance. This segmentation allows each process to operate under optimal conditions without interfering with the other
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different pressing force conditions for different parts of the printing process. Specifically, high pressing force is applied locally during color ink transfer for quality, while low pressing force is applied locally during overcoat transfer to prevent noise. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between ink transfer quality and friction reduction
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 faster print processing without generating noise or defects, by setting optimal pressing forces and speeds for ink ribbon and recording sheet interactions during both color ink and overcoat transfers.
Implementation Method 1
a sublimation type thermal transfer printer... a thermal transfer method of adhering, to a recording sheet, ink vaporized by heat of a thermal head
Implementation Method 2
OC transfer processing of transferring an overcoat (OC) onto an image... heat amount applied to the thermal head to vaporize the color ink and OC
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus, that thermally transfers color ink and an overcoat to a recording sheet, includes a at least one processor and at least one memory that is in communication with the at least one processor. The at least one memory stores instructions for causing the at least one processor and the at least one memory to perform print processing of transferring the color ink and the overcoat to the recording sheet by a thermal head and an ink ribbon, change a pressing force for pressing the ink ribbon and the recording sheet during the color ink transfer and during the overcoat transfer in the print processing, and control a processing speed during the color ink transfer and during the overcoat transfer in the print processing.