Corona Treatment Device With Sheet Guide Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corona treatment devices are unable to controllably treat cut sheet materials, leading to inconsistent quality due to varying distances from the corona unit and potential damage during transport, and they fail to chemically modify the surface of cut sheet materials.
Innovation Solution
A corona treatment device with a corona electrode and counter electrode, along with sheet guide elements positioned between the electrode and transport path, ensures a predetermined distance for uniform plasma treatment, using ceramic guide elements to maintain the sheet's position and prevent damage, while applying a high voltage alternating electrical field to modify the surface energy of the cut sheet material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a web transport mechanism is used to transport cut sheet material along the corona unit, then the material can be transported, but the distance of the cut sheet material to the corona unit varies during transport leading to inconsistent corona treatment quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (transport path with controlled geometry and sheet guide elements) between the corona unit and the cut sheet material to maintain a predetermined distance. This intermediary structure ensures consistent spacing without requiring active control of the sheet material position during transport, thereby resolving the contradiction between transport capability and distance control precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the thickness of the cut sheet varies, then different sheet thicknesses need to be accommodated, but the transport path of the cut sheet material needs to be adjusted for each thickness variation
Solution Approach 1:
The transport path is designed with self-adjusting characteristics where the sheet guide elements and corona unit geometry automatically accommodate different sheet thicknesses without requiring manual adjustment. The predetermined distance is maintained through the fixed geometry of the transport path, allowing the system to adapt to varying sheet thicknesses while keeping the device complexity low.
3Productivity
If cut sheet material is transported along the corona unit, then treatment can be applied, but the cut sheet material may get damaged or stuck by hitting the corona unit during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing the transport path to maintain a predetermined safe distance between the cut sheet material and the corona unit before any potential contact could occur. Sheet guide elements are positioned to prevent the sheet from deviating into the corona unit, thereby cushioning against potential damage or sticking while allowing continuous treatment throughput.
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 device provides a controlled and uniform corona plasma treatment, effectively modifying the surface energy of cut sheet materials to reduce ink bleed and enhance ink droplet spreading, ensuring consistent quality and preventing damage during the treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
a corona means for applying a corona plasma treatment onto a surface of a sheet, the corona means comprising a corona electrode
Implementation Method 2
applying a high voltage alternating electrical field to modify the surface energy of the cut sheet material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A corona treatment device is provided for treating a cut sheet material. The corona treatment device comprises a corona means for applying a corona plasma treatment onto a surface of a sheet, the corona means comprising a corona electrode, a sheet transporting means for transporting the sheet in the direction of a transport path along the corona means and a plurality of sheet guide elements for guiding the sheet along the corona means. The plurality of sheet guide elements is positioned between the corona electrode and the transport path thereby providing a predetermined distance between the transport path and the corona electrode. The plurality of sheet guide elements comprises at least a first sheet guide element extending in a direction at a first angle with respect to the sheet transport direction. The invention further pertains to a printing system for processing a cut sheet material comprising such a corona treatment device.