Black Anodized Print Support to Prevent UV Nozzle Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
UV radiation reflection towards print heads in printers using UV-curable inks can cause unwanted curing of ink in the nozzles, leading to nozzle clogging and other issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of a recording medium support with an upper surface made of black anodized metal, such as black anodized aluminum, to absorb UV radiation and reduce reflection towards the print units, thereby preventing unwanted curing of ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If UV-curable ink is used to form robust images, then image quality and durability are improved, but UV radiation reflection towards print heads causes unwanted curing of ink in nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
A black anodized aluminum plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the UV curing lamp and the print heads. This mediator absorbs excess UV radiation and prevents its reflection towards the print heads, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of unwanted ink curing while maintaining the beneficial robustness of UV-cured images.
Solution Approach 2:
The black anodized aluminum plate converts the harmful reflected UV radiation into a beneficial effect by absorbing it. The plate's black anodized surface is specifically designed to absorb UV radiation, transforming what would be a harmful reflection into a controlled absorption that protects the print heads from unwanted curing.
2Productivity
If curing units emit UV radiation to cure ink, then ink curing efficiency is improved, but UV radiation reflection causes nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The black anodized aluminum plate serves as a protective intermediary positioned to intercept reflected UV radiation before it reaches the print heads. This mediator maintains the high curing efficiency by allowing full UV exposure of the printed material while simultaneously protecting nozzle reliability by absorbing stray radiation that would otherwise cause ink curing in the nozzles.
3Loss of energy
If black anodized metal surface is used on recording medium support, then UV radiation absorption is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution involves changing the surface parameters of the aluminum plate by applying a black anodized coating. This parameter change transforms a ordinary metallic surface into a UV-absorbing surface through anodization, a surface treatment process that creates a porous oxide layer on aluminum and dyes it black for UV absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses a composite structure combining aluminum base material with a black anodized surface layer. This composite approach leverages the mechanical properties of aluminum while adding the UV-absorbing properties of the anodized coating, achieving both functionality and durability.
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
Prevents ink curing in and around the print nozzles, reducing nozzle clogging and associated problems by effectively absorbing UV radiation.
Implementation Method 1
the upper surface of the recording medium support comprising a black anodized metal... to absorb UV radiation and reduce reflection towards the print units
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a printer, the printer comprising a recording medium support for supporting a recording medium, the recording medium support having an upper surface, the upper surface of the recording medium support comprising a black anodized metal.. The present invention further relates to a method for printing using said printer.