Adjustable Inkjet Primer Rollers for Variable-Width Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in applying primers efficiently to media of varying widths without damaging the media transport belt or leaving primer on the reverse side of wider media.
Innovation Solution
A color inkjet printer with a primer applicator system featuring a stationary roller and a movable second roller, actuated bidirectionally, applies primer to media sheets without using the media transport belt, ensuring coverage across different widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If primer is applied to a single roller that extends across the widest extent of the media transport path, then primer application is simple, but primer is applied to areas that do not need coating and can damage the media transport belt
Solution Approach 1:
The primer roller is made dynamically adjustable in width through an actuator mechanism that extends or retracts the roller's effective coating width. This allows the roller to adapt its size to match the media width being processed, preventing primer application to the media transport belt while maintaining simple primer application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The primer roller system is segmented into adjustable sections that can be extended or retracted independently. This segmentation allows the roller to be configured for different media widths, applying primer only where needed and avoiding contact with the media transport belt.
2Productivity
If primer is applied to the media transport belt for narrower media, then primer application is efficient, but primer damages the belt surface or contaminates the reverse side of wider media
Solution Approach 1:
The primer roller width is dynamically adjusted based on the media width being processed. For narrower media, the roller extends to provide efficient full-width coating; for wider media, the roller retracts to match the narrower media width, preventing primer from being applied to the media transport belt or the reverse side of wider media.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of the primer roller (its effective width) is changed based on the media width. This parameter adjustment ensures that primer is applied efficiently to the media without contaminating the media transport belt or causing primer to appear on the reverse side of wider media.
3Productivity
If a printhead is used to apply primer, then primer is applied only where needed improving efficiency, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex printhead system to apply primer, the patent uses a simplified intermediary approach: a roller that is fluidly connected to a primer supply. This intermediary roller system provides efficient primer application through direct contact and capillary action, avoiding the complexity of printhead electronics while maintaining the benefit of applying primer only where 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
Enables efficient primer application to media of varying widths, improving print quality on both coated and uncoated paper while preventing primer from being applied to the transport belt or the reverse side of media.
Implementation Method 1
a stationary roller fluidly connected to the supply of primer; The stationary roller is brought into contact with the media as the media passes the roller, and the primer is transferred to the media
Implementation Method 2
an actuator operatively connected to one end of the second roller, the actuator being configured to move the second roller bidirectionally in a cross-process direction over a media transport path
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer includes a stationary roller and a second roller to apply primer onto media before the media is printed. The second roller is movable in a cross-process direction so the combined length of the stationary roller and the second roller in the cross-process direction can apply primer to the full width of the media being printed.