Circulating Air Blowing Unit for Inkjet Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing cockling and ensuring efficient drying of sheets, as warm air can cause excessive ink penetration and uneven drying, leading to temperature inconsistencies and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a circulating air blowing unit positioned between the warm air and cold air blowing units, which circulates and adjusts air temperature to prevent direct contact and temperature fluctuations, thereby minimizing cockling and optimizing drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If warm air is blown onto the sheet to dry the ink, then drying efficiency is improved, but cockling occurs and temperature consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing system is segmented into multiple independent units: a first blowing unit that blows cold air, a second blowing unit that blows warm air, and a third blowing unit that blows circulating air. Each unit can independently control its operation, allowing precise control over temperature distribution and preventing cockling while maintaining drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The third blowing unit acts as an intermediary by introducing circulating air between the cold air blowing unit and warm air blowing unit. This circulating air mediates the temperature transition, preventing direct contact between extreme temperature zones and ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the sheet, thereby eliminating cockling.
2Productivity
If warm air is blown onto the sheet to dry the ink, then drying efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing units operate in a coordinated periodic manner rather than simultaneously. The control unit activates different blowing units at different stages of sheet passage, using cold air for initial cooling, then circulating air for temperature stabilization, and finally warm air for drying. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous warm air blowing while maintaining drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses air by implementing a circulating air blowing unit that recirculates air through the system. Instead of continuously heating and discarding air, the system circulates air multiple times, recovering its thermal energy and reducing the total energy required for drying while maintaining effective temperature control.
3Manufacturing precision
If cold air is blown onto the sheet, then cockling is prevented, but drying efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying process is segmented into multiple stages with different air temperatures. Cold air is used initially to prevent cockling and stabilize the sheet, followed by circulating air for temperature uniformity, and finally warm air for active drying. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently, preventing cockling while maintaining drying efficiency through the sequential application of appropriately temperature-controlled air.
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 effectively suppresses cockling and ensures consistent drying by maintaining stable air temperatures, reducing energy consumption and improving the overall drying process.
Implementation Method 1
a second blowing unit including a heating means and configured to blow air heated by the heating means onto the sheet
Implementation Method 2
a third blowing unit disposed between the first blowing unit and the second blowing unit with respect to a sheet conveyance direction, and including a suction portion configured to suck a part of the air of the conveyance portion
Implementation Method 3
a first blowing unit configured to blow air onto the sheet conveyed by the conveyance portion... a second blowing unit including a heating means and configured to blow air heated by the heating means onto the sheet conveyed by the conveyance portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance portion, first, second and third blowing units. The conveyance portion conveys a sheet on which an image is formed by ejecting ink. The first blowing unit blows air onto the sheet conveyed by the conveyance portion. The second blowing unit includes a heater and blows air heated by the heater onto the sheet conveyed by the conveyance portion. The third blowing unit is disposed between the first blowing unit and the second blowing unit with respect to a sheet conveyance direction. The third blowing unit includes a suction portion sucking a part of the air of the conveyance portion, a duct portion through which the air sucked by the suction portion flows and a blowing portion blows the air flowing through the duct portion onto the sheet.