Binary Ink Developer Electrostatic Transfer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital offset printing systems face inefficiencies in ink transfer and management, particularly in the use of intermediate units, leading to suboptimal print quality and increased ink consumption due to mechanical engagement and disengagement of developer rollers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a print controller that manages the timing and electrical variables of binary ink developers, including developer rollers, electrodes, and squeegee rollers, to optimize ink transfer directly from a photoreceptor to a substrate, reducing mechanical engagement and enhancing electrostatic transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical engagement and disengagement of developer rollers is used for ink transfer, then ink transfer function is achieved, but print quality deteriorates and ink consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidink consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical engagement and disengagement system of developer rollers with an electrostatic transfer system. The photoreceptor drum directly transfers ink to the substrate using electrostatic fields generated by electrodes, eliminating the need for physical contact between developer rollers and the photoreceptor. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable ink transfer through electrostatic forces while preventing the mechanical wear and ink waste associated with roller engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the intermediate developer roller component from the ink transfer path. By eliminating this mechanical intermediary, the system achieves direct electrostatic transfer from photoreceptor to substrate. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the source of mechanical engagement issues that degrade print quality and increase ink consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If developer roller contacts photoreceptor for ink transfer, then ink is transferred to intermediate unit, but scratches occur on photoreceptor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink transfer efficiencyVSAvoidscratches on photoreceptor

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based ink transfer with electrostatic transfer. The photoreceptor drum transfers ink directly to the substrate through electrostatic attraction from electrodes, eliminating physical contact between any roller and the photoreceptor surface. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high ink transfer efficiency through electrostatic forces while completely preventing mechanical scratches on the photoreceptor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an electrostatic field as an intermediary mechanism for ink transfer. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the electrostatic field generated by electrodes mediates the transfer of ink particles from the photoreceptor to the substrate. This intermediary field resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient ink transfer without the harmful mechanical contact that causes scratches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If intermediate units are used in ink transfer process, then ink transfer is facilitated, but background phenomena increase and print quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink transfer processVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate developer roller unit from the ink transfer process. By removing this intermediate component, the system achieves direct transfer from photoreceptor to substrate. This resolves the contradiction by simplifying the transfer process through direct electrostatic action while eliminating the background phenomena and quality degradation caused by intermediate units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the ink transfer function from the mechanical roller system and integrates it directly into the photoreceptor-substrate interface. By separating the electrostatic transfer function from mechanical transport functions, the system achieves precise control over ink deposition without the interference of intermediate mechanical components, resolving the quality issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach improves print quality by minimizing ink consumption, reducing background phenomena, and preventing scratches on the photoreceptor, resulting in a more reliable and efficient printing process.

Implementation Method 1

optimize ink transfer directly from a photoreceptor to a substrate, reducing mechanical engagement and enhancing electrostatic transfer efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic transfer: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS10802435B2Ink development

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 HP INDIGO BV

AI summary

In one example, a development cycle of a binary ink developer, BID, is timed. Timing may be based on the length of a substrate in which the image is to be printed or the size of the image or the area to be printed with the ink associated to the BID.