Intermediate Transfer Medium Conveyance Using Single DC Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate transfer medium conveying devices for thermal transfer line printers face issues with conveying the intermediate transfer medium due to slack generation caused by torque limiter 'play', leading to complex structures and high costs, as well as inability to optimize winding forces during image formation and re-transfer.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate transfer medium conveying device using a single DC motor to drive the intermediate transfer medium in both normal and reverse directions, with transmission means that include a worm gear and torque limiters to apply back tension, allowing for adjustable winding forces and reduced slack through controlled voltage application to the DC motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a torque limiter is used to apply back tension to the intermediate transfer medium, then the winding force can be controlled, but slack is generated due to torque limiter 'play' causing conveying issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-tensioning the intermediate transfer medium through the torque limiter before conveying begins. The torque limiter is configured to apply back tension in advance, compensating for the 'play' effect before it can cause slack during operation. This ensures the medium is properly tensioned before the conveying process starts, maintaining conveying accuracy despite the inherent play in the torque limiter mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If separate drive mechanisms are used for normal feed and reverse feed directions, then conveying control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single drive mechanism that performs multiple functions - driving the intermediate transfer medium in both normal feed and reverse feed directions. The torque limiter is configured to apply back tension in both directions, and the drive system can reversibly convey the medium forward and backward without requiring separate drive mechanisms for each direction, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining conveying control.
3Force
If the torque limiter is always engaged during normal feed, then winding force is maintained, but the ability to optimize winding force during different operations (image formation and re-transfer) is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the torque limiter's engagement state variable rather than fixed. The torque limiter can be dynamically engaged or disengaged depending on the operational phase - engaged during image formation to maintain proper winding force, and disengaged or adjusted during re-transfer operations to optimize winding force for that specific task. This dynamic control enables adaptability while maintaining force control when needed.
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 efficient and cost-effective conveyance of the intermediate transfer medium, optimizing winding forces for both image transfer and re-transfer, simplifying the printer structure by eliminating the need for additional slack removing mechanisms and tension adjusting mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a drive force of one DC motor (16)
Implementation Method 2
torque limiter for reverse feed (73) that applies back tension to the intermediate transfer medium during the reverse feed
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate transfer medium conveying device conveys an intermediate transfer medium by a drive force of one DC motor, in a normal feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a winding reel and in a reverse feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a feeding reel. The intermediate transfer medium conveying device includes a winding shaft that drives the winding reel during normal feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the normal feed direction, a feeding shaft driving the feeding reel during reverse feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse feed direction, transmission means for normal feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the winding shaft during the normal feed, and transmission means for reverse feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the feeding shaft during the reverse feed.