Adjustable Vacuum Conveyor Suction for Variable-Width Inkjet Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional vacuum conveyor systems for inkjet printing struggle with limited adjustment capabilities when combining substrate width adaptation and machine loading/unloading conditions, compromising their effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum conveyor system with expandable and retractable actuators that adjust the suction width and length based on substrate dimensions and machine loading/unloading conditions, controlled by a substrate transportation system and actuators to secure substrates during inkjet printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional vacuum conveyor systems use fixed suction area, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different substrate widths and loading conditions is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to substrate width and loading conditionsVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum conveyor system employs adjustable suction boundaries that can dynamically expand and retract based on substrate width and loading conditions. The suction area is not fixed but can be modified in real-time to match the actual substrate dimensions, allowing the system to adapt between single substrate and multiple substrate scenarios without structural changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The suction area is divided into multiple adjustable segments or zones that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows different portions of the vacuum table to be activated or deactivated based on the substrate configuration, providing fine-grained adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the suction area is increased to handle multiple substrates, then the handling capability improves, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capability for single or multiple substratesVSAvoidvacuum system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates only the portion of the suction area that is actually needed for the current substrate configuration. Rather than maintaining full vacuum across the entire table, the adjustable boundaries limit vacuum generation to the minimum necessary area, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate holding force for the substrates present

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum system dynamically adjusts the suction area parameter based on substrate configuration. When handling single substrates, the suction area is minimized to reduce energy use; when handling multiple substrates, the suction area is expanded to accommodate all substrates, optimizing the balance between handling capability and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the vacuum table covers the entire substrate path, then the substrate securing is reliable, but the adjustment flexibility for different substrate widths is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate securing reliabilityVSAvoidadjustment flexibility for substrate width

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The suction boundaries are made dynamic rather than static, allowing them to move and adjust their position along the substrate path. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to maintain reliable substrate securing by keeping the suction area closely matched to the actual substrate footprint, while simultaneously providing flexibility for different substrate widths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances the integration of substrate width adjustment with machine loading/unloading scenarios, providing improved robustness and handling of single substrates during these transitions.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum table including a vacuum chamber configured to provide suction to secure a substrate on a substrate transportation system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12559333B2Vacuum conveyor system for inkjet printing with adjustment to the covered area

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING INC

AI summary

Apparatus, methods, and systems for a vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing with adjustment to the covered area are disclosed. In some embodiments, a controller of a vacuum conveyor expands first one or more actuators of multiple first actuators of a substrate transportation system to decrease a suction width of an area of suction provided by the vacuum conveyor in accordance with a substrate width of a substrate being inkjet printed using the vacuum conveyor. A second one or more actuators of the multiple first actuators being retracted. The controller retracts multiple second actuators of the vacuum conveyor to increase the suction length of the area of suction while the substrate transportation system moves the substrate along the vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing of the substrate. The controller expands the retracted actuators of the multiple first actuators to increase the suction length as the substrates exit the vacuum conveyor.