Deformation Suppressing Unit for Curling Sheets in Post-Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing leads to deformation of sheets due to ink absorption and drying, causing curling and transport issues in post-processing devices, where sheets are not aligned properly, resulting in transport failures.

Innovation Solution

A post-processing device with a deformation suppressing unit that uses air blowers to control wind pressure based on moisture differences and ink composition, including water-based ink with 50% water or more, to prevent curling, and incorporates intermediate and finishing units for reversal processing and stapling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If water-based ink is used for recording, then odor and strike-through are reduced, but sheet deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor and strike-throughVSAvoidsheet deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The deformation suppressing unit applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent sheet deformation before it occurs during mounting. By detecting curling tendency based on recording data and applying opposing force through the deformation suppressing unit, the system prevents the harmful deformation effect rather than correcting it afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If sheets are mounted sequentially on processing tray, then post-processing can be performed, but transport failures occur due to curling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepost-processing capabilityVSAvoidtransport reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives recording data as feedback and uses this information to adjust the operation of the deformation suppressing unit. Based on the detected curling tendency from recording parameters, the system dynamically controls the suppressing force to maintain reliable sheet transport while enabling continuous post-processing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The deformation suppressing unit performs preliminary action by suppressing curling before sheets are mounted on the processing tray. This preliminary suppression ensures that sheets remain flat and aligned during the subsequent mounting and post-processing operations, preventing transport failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If deformation suppressing unit is controlled based on recording data, then sheet alignment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet alignmentVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing recording data that is already available from the recording unit to control the deformation suppressing unit. Rather than requiring separate sensors or complex detection systems, the control unit leverages the self-generated recording information to determine appropriate suppression levels, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining precise sheet alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively suppresses sheet deformation, ensuring proper alignment and preventing transport failures by dynamically controlling air blower operation based on recording data and environmental parameters, enhancing the post-processing of water-based ink sheets.

Implementation Method 1

a deformation suppressing unit which suppresses deformation of the recording medium in the mounting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3269553B1Post-processing device and recording apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3269553B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3269553B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3269553B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A post-processing device is provided with a post-processing unit which performs post-processing of a recording medium on which recording is performed, a transport path through which the recording medium is transported, or a deformation suppressing unit which suppresses deformation of the recording medium on a mounting unit on which the recording medium is mounted, in which the deformation suppressing unit is controlled based on a predetermined parameter related to recording processing with respect to the recording medium.