Curl Reduction Device for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face inefficiencies in throughput due to the need for a waiting time to reduce curl in recording media, leading to increased time required to complete the discharge of multiple images, as each medium must wait until curl is minimized before being stacked, which can result in folding or bending if discharged prematurely.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a curl reduction device that uses a combination of controlled waiting time and heated air to reduce curl, where the waiting time and heating parameters are adjusted based on the position in the print job and paper characteristics, allowing for differential curl reduction among media to optimize stacking and reduce overall throughput time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a waiting time is applied to reduce curl before discharging recording media, then the curl amount is reduced and media quality is improved, but the throughput time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the waiting time duration based on the discharge sequence position. Earlier-discharged media receive longer waiting times while later-discharged media receive shorter waiting times, optimizing both curl reduction and throughput efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the waiting time for each recording medium based on its position in the discharge sequence. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize curl reduction for each medium individually while maintaining overall throughput efficiency
2Productivity
If the waiting time is reduced to improve throughput, then the productivity increases, but the curl amount becomes larger causing folding or bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the waiting time parameter according to the discharge sequence position, allowing shorter waiting times for later media to improve throughput while still achieving sufficient curl reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial waiting time to later-discharged media, providing just enough time to reduce curl to an acceptable level rather than applying a uniform maximum waiting time to all media
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 solution effectively reduces curl in recording media, enabling them to be discharged sooner without folding or bending, thereby improving the throughput efficiency of the inkjet recording apparatus by allowing for staggered discharge and optimized stacking.
Implementation Method 1
a curl reduction device configured to reduce curl caused in each of the recording media
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes: (a) a storage device for storing an image data set representing a plurality of images; (b) a liquid ejection head for performing an image formation on each recording medium; (c) a curl reduction device for reducing curl caused in each recording medium having the corresponding image formed thereon by the liquid ejection head; (d) an output tray for receiving each recording medium whose curl has been reduced by the curl reduction device, such that the received recording media are stacked on the output tray; and (e) a control device configured to control the curl reduction device, such that the curl caused in an earlier one of the recording media is reduced by a smaller degree than the curl caused in a later one of the recording media that has been subjected to the image formation later than the earlier one of the recording media.