Base Material Drying Device with Vertical Transport Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base-material drying devices require a long transport path to dry ink, leading to an increase in the size of the drying device, which is inefficient and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The base-material drying device employs a transport mechanism that shifts the continuous base material in a third direction, allowing for an extended transport path without enlarging the device in the first and second directions, while preventing ink from adhering to transport supporters by positioning them on the opposite surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transport path is extended to dry ink thoroughly, then the drying effectiveness is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third direction (vertical direction) in addition to the conventional first (horizontal) and second (depth) directions. The transport supporters are arranged at different positions in the third direction, creating a three-dimensional transport path. This allows the base material to be transported through a longer path volume without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device, thereby extending the drying path while maintaining compact device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple transport supporters (first, second, third, and fourth transport supporters) at different positions in the third direction, creating a nested or stacked configuration. The base material passes through multiple heating sections by being transported between these supporters, effectively nesting multiple drying stages within a compact vertical space. This nested arrangement allows thorough drying without requiring a large horizontal device volume.
2Length of stationary object
If transport supporters are positioned to extend the transport path, then the drying path length increases, but ink may adhere to the supporters causing image impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions transport supporters at different locations in the third direction (vertical dimension) rather than only in the first direction. The base material is transported between these vertically separated supporters, creating a transport path that utilizes the third dimension. This spatial arrangement ensures that the supporters do not come into contact with the ink-adhering surface of the base material, preventing ink adhesion while still providing sufficient transport path length for effective drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the third direction as an intermediary spatial dimension that mediates between the need for long transport path and the need to avoid ink adhesion. By arranging supporters in the third direction and transporting the base material between them rather than over them, the system creates a non-contact support mechanism that prevents harmful ink adhesion while achieving the required path length.
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 configuration enables the increase of the transport path length and width while maintaining a compact device size, ensuring efficient ink drying and preventing image impairment.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating mechanism that heats the continuous base material transported by the first transport mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A dryer includes a plurality of transport rollers, turn bars, and a heater. Some of the transport rollers support the continuous base material transported in the +Y direction in a first position in the Z direction. Some of the transport rollers support the continuous base material transported in the -Y direction in a second position in the Z direction. The turn bars support the continuous base material in a third position in the Z direction while bending the continuous base material so that the continuous base material is transported in the -X direction. The heater is capable of heating part of the continuous base material in a position on the transport path TR between the transport rollers and the turn bars. The transport rollers and the turn bars are located on the second surface side of the continuous base material.