Thermochromic Printing System with Height-Adjusted Eraser
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a printing system that can efficiently rewrite printing information on objects conveyed one after another, particularly on reusable items like corrugated cardboard and returnable boxes, using thermochromic ink, to effectively erase old information and reprint new details efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a conveyance machine, a position determination unit, an erasing unit with a heat source, and a printing unit using thermochromic ink, where the heat source and printer are adjusted in height and orientation to erase and reprint information perpendicular to the conveyance direction, ensuring accurate alignment and efficient information rewriting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat source is used to erase thermochromic printing information, then the erasing function is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to height adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the heating element for erasing thermochromic ink and as a support structure for mounting the printer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support structures, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining the erasing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer and heat source are merged into a single integrated unit where the printer is mounted on the heat source. This combination allows the printer to be positioned at the optimal height relative to the conveyed object, improving printing quality while simplifying the overall system structure by reducing the number of independent components.
2Manufacturing precision
If the printer height is adjusted to match objects of varying sizes, then printing quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printer is mounted on the heat source in a configuration that allows dynamic height adjustment. The heat source itself can be positioned at different heights, and the printer moves with it, enabling the printing head to be dynamically adjusted to match the height of different objects being printed on, thereby maintaining high printing quality across various object sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer and heat source are pre-positioned together as an integrated unit before the printing process begins. This preliminary configuration allows the system to be quickly adjusted to the appropriate height for different objects without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining printing precision.
3Productivity
If thermochromic ink is used for reusable objects, then resource efficiency improves, but the need for precise erasure and reprinting increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by immediately reprinting new information after erasing the thermochromic ink, without requiring the object to be removed or repositioned. The conveyor belt continuously moves objects through the erasing and printing zones, maintaining continuous productive action while reusing the same objects multiple times, thereby improving resource efficiency without significantly increasing process control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat source acts as an intermediary element that facilitates both erasure and supports the printer for reprinting. By positioning the printer on the heat source, the system creates a coordinated sequence where erasure and reprinting are tightly coupled, simplifying the control logic while enabling efficient reuse of objects with thermochromic ink.
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 solution allows for efficient rewriting of printing information on objects of varying sizes and shapes, ensuring accurate erasure and reprinting of information, enhancing the reuse of objects by maintaining the integrity of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
A printer using thermochromic ink, disposed behind the heat source of the erasing unit along the conveyance direction
Implementation Method 2
printing information that is printed using thermochromic ink on the object to be printed
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a position determination unit of a printing system determines a printing position of printing information printed on an object to be printed conveyed by a conveyance machine. An erasing unit erases the printing information printed using thermochromic ink by emitting heat from a heat source, a height position of which is adjusted according to the printing position, from a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction according to a timing at which the printing position, determined based on the printing position, passes. A printing unit includes a printer using the thermochromic ink, disposed behind the heat source along the conveyance direction, and prints information on the object to be printed from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction by the printer, a height position of which is adjusted according to the printing position, according to the timing at which the printing position passes. A facing mechanism causes a printing surface of the object to be printed to face a printer head of the printer at least when the printing unit prints the information.