Deflection Shield for Rotary Printing Press Ink Roller

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Solution Overview

Problem

In waterless offset printing, high-viscosity inks used in rotary printing machines often result in significant color density differences due to vortex formation at the ink outlet, leading to undesirable print quality.

Innovation Solution

A deflection device, comprising a deflection shield positioned between the ink inlet and outlet, forces the ink to flow past the roller surface before exiting, reducing axial color density variations by redirecting the ink flow between the shield and the roller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If ink is supplied to the doctor blade by pumps at both ends with drainage in the center, then the ink chamber can be supplied with printing ink, but vortices form at the outlet causing significant color density differences in the printed product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink supplyVSAvoidcolor density uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device is positioned upstream in the ink flow path to redirect ink before it reaches the drainage outlet. By preliminarily changing the flow direction, the system prevents vortex formation at the outlet, thereby maintaining color density uniformity while ensuring proper ink supply and drainage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection device acts as an intermediary element between the ink supply system and the drainage outlet. It mediates the ink flow by redirecting it away from the outlet area, preventing the harmful vortex effect while maintaining the functionality of both ink supply and drainage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a deflection device is added to redirect ink flow past the roller surface, then color density differences are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor density uniformityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device utilizes a thin plate or shield structure that is simple in form but effective in function. This thin-film approach achieves flow redirection without requiring complex mechanical components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining color density uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection device introduces a spatial dimension change by positioning a shield at a specific distance from the roller surface. This creates a three-dimensional flow path modification that effectively redirects ink without adding complex mechanical moving parts, maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution significantly reduces color density differences in the printed product, improving overall print quality in a structurally simple manner.

Implementation Method 1

a deflection device, spaced apart from the roller to be inked, in the form of a deflection shield, which forces the printing ink to flow between the deflection shield and the roller surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

due to the suction effect of the outflowing medium, vortices and the like form in the area of the outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex formation: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2045077B1Equipment for inking an inking roller of a rotary printing press
Publication Date: 2012.09.12 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP2045077B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2045077B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2045077B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The equipment has a blade bar (2) engaged to a roller (1), where the blade bar has a printing ink chamber (4) open to the roller and running along the blade bar. A deflection device is arranged in the printing ink chamber between a printing ink inlet (6) and a printing ink outlet for deflecting the printing ink along a direction of the roller. The side of the deflection device facing the roller is spaced apart from the roller in an engaged state of the blade bar. The deflection device has two deflection plates that are arranged adjacently on both sides of the printing ink outlet.