Arc-Shaped Drier Temperature Gradient for Web Medium Wrinkle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed image forming apparatuses face issues with ink offset and printing quality deterioration due to ink being fed before it is dried during the reeling operation, leading to wrinkles and deformation of the continuous sheet.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a drier with a plurality of heaters forming an arc-shaped feed path, where the upstream heater is set to a higher temperature than the downstream heater, controlled based on factors like feed speed, basis weight, and maximum ink adhesion amount, to ensure efficient drying and reduce wrinkles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed image forming operation is performed, then productivity is improved, but ink offset and printing quality deteriorate due to insufficient drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the temperature distribution across multiple heaters in the drier. Specifically, the upstream heater operates at a higher temperature than downstream heaters, creating a temperature gradient that optimizes drying efficiency. This parameter change allows rapid moisture evaporation while controlling the drying process to prevent ink offset, thereby maintaining printing quality during high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drier is segmented into multiple heaters arranged along the feed path of the continuous sheet. Each heater can be independently controlled to different temperatures, with the upstream heater set higher than downstream heaters. This segmentation allows different zones of the drying process to operate at optimal temperatures for their specific function, enabling effective drying at high speeds without causing ink offset.
2Productivity
If high-speed image forming operation is performed, then productivity is improved, but wrinkles and deformation occur on the continuous sheet due to premature reeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by implementing a temperature gradient across multiple heaters, with the upstream heater operating at a higher temperature than downstream heaters. This controlled temperature progression ensures uniform and complete drying of the continuous sheet before reeling, preventing wrinkles and deformation even during high-speed operation. The temperature parameter is optimized to maintain sheet stability while achieving high productivity.
3Device complexity
If uniform temperature is applied across all heaters, then energy distribution is simplified, but drying efficiency decreases and ink offset occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different temperatures to different heaters based on their position in the drying path. The upstream heater, which contacts the wettest portion of the continuous sheet, operates at a higher temperature for rapid initial drying. Downstream heaters operate at lower temperatures to complete the drying process gently. This localized temperature optimization ensures effective drying without causing ink offset, while the temperature distribution is controlled through a systematic approach that balances complexity and effectiveness.
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
This temperature control method effectively dries the ink and reduces wrinkles on the continuous sheet, maintaining high-speed image forming quality by ensuring the continuous sheet is properly aligned and dried before reeling.
Implementation Method 1
The heater temperature control is configured to control a temperature of an upstream heater of the plurality of heaters on the feed path to be higher than a temperature of a downstream heater of the plurality of heaters on the feed path
Implementation Method 2
a drier including a plurality of heaters over which the web medium is stretched to form an arc-shaped feed path
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a drier, and a heater temperature control. The image forming unit includes nozzles to discharge droplets onto a web medium to form an image on the web medium. The drier includes a plurality of heaters over which the web medium is stretched to form an arc-shaped feed path. The heater temperature control is configured to control a temperature of an upstream heater of the plurality of heaters on the feed path to be higher than a temperature of a downstream heater of the plurality of heaters on the feed path.