Charge Element Heating for Liquid Electrography
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid electrophotographic printers, the charge element, such as a charge roller or corona wire, gets contaminated with electro-ink vapor, leading to polymerization and disruption of charging, requiring frequent servicing to prevent contamination transfer to the photo imaging plate.
Innovation Solution
A light source is used to irradiate light onto the charge element, heating it to a selected temperature to promote evaporation of contaminating electro-ink components and prevent contamination formation, thereby maintaining the charge element's cleanliness and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the charge element is brought into close proximity to the photoconductor for charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but contamination from electro-ink vapor accumulates on the charge element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating the charge element before contamination can accumulate to problematic levels. The heating means is activated during printing operations to prevent electro-ink vapor condensation and polymerization on the charge element surface, thereby maintaining charging efficiency without requiring frequent cleaning interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of electro-ink vapor condensation into a beneficial heating source. The electro-ink vapor that would normally contaminate the charge element is instead utilized as a fuel source through combustion, generating heat that prevents further contamination and polymerization while maintaining the close proximity needed for efficient charging.
2Reliability
If the charge element is heated to prevent contamination, then contamination formation is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful electro-ink vapor into a useful heating source through combustion. This eliminates the need for external energy input while maintaining the charge element at temperatures that prevent contamination. The energy that would be wasted as vapor is instead harnessed to heat the charge element, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring consistent charging performance.
3Reliability
If frequent servicing is performed to clean the charge element, then contamination transfer to photo imaging plate is prevented, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously heating the charge element during printing operations to prevent contamination accumulation before it reaches levels requiring cleaning. This proactive approach maintains charging performance throughout extended printing periods, reducing the frequency of servicing interruptions and thereby increasing overall productivity while ensuring reliable prevention of contamination transfer.
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
The light-based heating effectively prevents contamination formation and promotes the evaporation of electro-ink components on the charge element, reducing the need for frequent servicing and ensuring consistent charging performance.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is used to irradiate light onto the charge element, heating it to a selected temperature to promote evaporation of contaminating electro-ink components
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for liquid electrography printing are described herein. In at least some examples herein, a liquid electrographic printer includes a charging element for charging a photo imaging plate (PIP). A light source irradiates light onto the charge element. The irradiated light is to heat the charge element to a selected temperature.