Vertical Print Head RFID Antenna Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal transfer printers face difficulties in supporting metal RFID tags due to signal blocking by tag layers and are limited in print registration due to the positioning constraints of RFID antennas and label stop sensors.
Innovation Solution
A thermal transfer printer with a vertically oriented print head and an RFID antenna positioned above the media path, allowing the antenna to be in close proximity to the print head burn line, thereby supporting metal RFID tags and improving print registration by positioning the label stop sensor closer to the burn line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the RFID antenna is positioned below the media path, then the antenna can be placed close to the print head burn line (18-34 mm distance), but the antenna cannot support metal RFID tags due to signal blocking by tag layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional positioning of the RFID antenna by placing it above the media path instead of below. This reversal allows the antenna to be positioned at an optimal distance (70-100 mm) from the print head burn line while maintaining the ability to support metal RFID tags, as the aluminum foil layer on the tag does not block signals coming from above the IC layer
2Reliability
If the RFID antenna is placed above the media path, then the antenna can support metal RFID tags, but the antenna must be positioned at least 70 mm from the print head burn line which is too great a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial dimension by repositioning the RFID antenna from a horizontal arrangement (below the media path) to a vertical arrangement (above the media path). This dimensional change allows the antenna to achieve both close proximity to the burn line and effective support for metal tags simultaneously
3Device complexity
If the LSS module is positioned far from the burn line (42-55 mm), then the RFID antenna can be accommodated, but print registration is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the RFID antenna position to above the media path, the LSS module can be positioned much closer to the burn line (15-30 mm) without conflicting with the antenna placement, thereby significantly improving print registration accuracy
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
Enables effective programming of metal RFID tags and enhances print registration by allowing the RFID antenna to be within a closer distance to the print head burn line, reducing the label pitch and improving the accuracy of print placement.
Implementation Method 1
printing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags requires a RFID programming module or an RFID reader with a RFID antenna to transmit signals to program the tag on the media label
Implementation Method 2
thermal transfer printers
Data Source
AI summary
A printer is provided which includes a control unit and a print head with a burn line and a platen roller. The print head is coupled to the control unit. The print head is positioned in a vertical orientation relative to the platen roller over which a media label passes during printing. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, coupled to the control unit, for programming RFID tags on the media label is also provided. The RFID reader is coupled to a RFID antenna. The RFID antenna is above the media label path, the print head's vertical orientation allowing the RFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximity to the print head burn line. Further, a label stop sensor (LSS) module is provided, coupled to the control unit, for monitoring movement of the media label along a media path. The LSS module is disposed adjacent to the RFID antenna.