Synchronous Web Buffer Carriages for Print Engine Tension Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Web substrate printing devices with multiple print engines face synchronization challenges, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage due to uneven web substrate supply between engines, resulting in either substrate tearing or paused operations.

Innovation Solution

A web buffer system with synchronized movable carriages and rotatable rollers, coupled with a belt mechanism and linear encoder, dynamically adjusts the web substrate amount to maintain constant tension and alignment between print engines, ensuring continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple print engines operate in tandem to increase productivity, then printing output increases, but synchronization difficulties arise leading to web substrate tension issues and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting outputVSAvoidweb substrate tension stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A web buffer system is introduced as an intermediary component between multiple print engines. The buffer includes a movable carriage with rollers that can dynamically adjust the amount of web substrate stored, acting as a mediator to absorb tension variations and synchronize web supply between print engines operating at different speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The web buffer employs a movable carriage that can dynamically change its position along the web path. By adjusting the carriage position, the system dynamically modifies the effective web length between print engines, enabling real-time compensation for speed variations and maintaining consistent web tension throughout operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If web substrate amount varies between print engines, then operational flexibility increases, but substrate tearing or paused operations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsubstrate tearing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The web buffer pre-stores an adjustable amount of web substrate in the movable carriage, creating a cushion of material before it reaches the print engines. This beforehand cushioning prevents sudden web depletion or excessive accumulation, thereby preventing substrate tearing and operational pauses while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If web buffer stores large amount of substrate, then supply stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb supply stabilityVSAvoidbuffer mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web buffer system is segmented into modular components: a movable carriage with rollers, a control system, and integration points with existing print engines. This segmentation allows the complex function of web management to be distributed across separate, manageable modules rather than requiring a monolithic complex system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10717306B2Web buffers with synchronous moving carriages

Publication Date: 2020.07.21 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A printing device that may include a first print engine, a second print engine, and a web buffer device disposed between the first and second print engines to maintain an amount of web substrate therein, wherein the web buffer includes a first and second movable carriage, with at least one rotatable roller coupled to each of the two carriages and wherein the first and second movable carriages move synchronously away and toward each other to alter an amount of web present in the web buffer.