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US 11,999,174 B2Granted
Enhanced speed thermal printer
AssigneeToshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.
InventorsWilliam M. Connors, Donn D. Bryant, Michael W. Lawrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for enhanced speed thermal printing has a drive roller for contacting thermochromic medal to a thermal printhead. The drive roller includes a cam which causes the drive roller to decelerate as it approaches the printhead such that contact with the thermal printhead and the thermochromic media is at a highest force point. The drive roller accelerates as it is pulled back from the printhead prior to a next printing cycle.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- first and second drive rollers configured to cooperatively move thermochromic media relative to a thermal printhead;
- the thermal printhead configured to be positioned adjacent to but not in contact with a first side of the thermochromic media;
- a biasing spring secured to the thermal printhead, the biasing spring configured to bias the thermal print head for perpendicular movement relative to the thermochromic media;
- a backing roller disposed on a second side of the thermochromic media opposite the thermal printhead, the backing roller having an axis perpendicular to a feed direction of the thermochromic media;
- the backing roller configured to be positioned adjacent to the second side of the thermochromic media;
- the backing roller including an elliptical cam portion;
- a drive shaft coupled to the elliptical cam portion, the drive shaft disposed radially relative to the axis of the backing roller;
- and
- a motor configured to rotate the drive shaft wherein, when rotated the backing roller periodically causes the first side of the thermochromic media to contact the thermal printhead while compressing the biasing spring, and
- periodically causes the first side of the thermochromic media to break contact with the thermal printhead.
7 more elements
A method comprising:
- moving thermochromic media relative to a thermal print head via first and second drive rollers;
- positioning the thermal printhead to be adjacent to but not in contact with a first side of the thermochromic media;
- positioning a backing roller on a second side of the thermochromic media opposite the thermal printhead, the backing roller having an axis perpendicular to a feed direction of the thermochromic media;
- and
- rotating a cam portion of the backing roller such that the backing roller, when rotated engages the second side of the thermochromic media so as to cause the first side of the thermochromic media to contact the thermal printhead while compressing a biasing spring associated with the thermal printhead,
- periodically causes the first side of the thermochromic media to break contact with the thermal printhead.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- positioning a print media such that a first side thereof is adjacent to but not in contact with a printhead;
- accelerating a position of a backing roller disposed on a second side of the print media opposite the printhead toward the second side of the print media and the printhead;
- decelerating the position of the backing roller toward the second side of the print media and the printhead and, after deceleration, the backing roller urging contact between the printhead and the first side of the print media and compression of a biasing spring associated with the printhead;
- accelerating the position of the backing roller away from the print media and the printhead;
- and
- decelerating the position of the backing roller away from the print media and the printhead.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.