Detachable Heating Roller Units for Recording Media Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying devices for recording media, such as printing systems, require complex control systems due to multiple heating rollers with varying heat sources, leading to increased complexity and potential inefficiencies in heating and drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A drying device with independently detachable heating roller units, each equipped with multiple heat sources and temperature detectors, allows for adjustable heating based on the width of the recording medium, simplifying control and enhancing heating efficiency by using upstream and downstream heating rollers with different heating areas and powers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heating rollers with multiple heat sources are used to handle various recording medium widths, then the adaptability to different recording medium widths is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the corresponding amount of controllers needed
Solution Approach 1:
The heating roller is divided into multiple independent heating units, each with its own heat source and temperature detector. Each heating unit can be independently controlled and detached, allowing the system to handle various recording medium widths by selecting appropriate heating units without requiring a complex overall control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating units are designed with different heating areas and powers to match different recording medium widths. Each heating unit has localized heating capabilities tailored to specific width requirements, eliminating the need for a single complex control system to manage all heating scenarios.
2Productivity
If multiple heating rollers with different heating areas are used to match various recording medium widths, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple controllers
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating units are integrated into a single heating roller structure, sharing common support mechanisms and control architecture. This merging approach maintains the heating efficiency benefits of multiple heating units with different areas while reducing the overall number of separate controllers needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating roller is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple heating units with different heating areas. This multi-functional design allows the same heating roller structure to handle various recording medium widths efficiently without requiring separate control systems for each heating unit.
3Device complexity
If a fixed heating width is used in the heating roller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to various recording medium widths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating roller is designed with detachable heating units that can be dynamically reconfigured based on the recording medium width. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to adjust its heating width without complex control mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving versatility.
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 enables efficient and flexible drying of various recording media widths without excessive temperature rise or underheating, reducing the complexity of control systems and ensuring consistent drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating roller containing a heat source (e.g., halogen lamp)
Implementation Method 2
a heating roller containing a heat source (e.g., halogen lamp)
Implementation Method 3
The two upstream temperature detectors are disposed at respective end parts of the upstream heating roller, to detect temperatures of the respective upstream heat sources
Implementation Method 4
for drying a recording medium to which ink or a pretreatment liquid is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A drying device for drying a recording medium is provided. The drying device includes a plurality of heating roller units independently detachable from the drying device. The heating roller units includes at least one upstream heating roller unit disposed upstream relative to a conveyance direction of the recording medium and at least two downstream heating roller units disposed downstream relative to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Each upstream heating roller unit includes an upstream heating roller, two upstream temperature detectors, and two upstream controllers. The upstream heating roller includes two upstream heat sources having different heating areas. The two upstream temperature detectors are disposed at respective end parts of the upstream heating roller, to detect temperatures of the respective upstream heat sources to output signals. The two upstream controllers control the respective upstream heat sources based on the respective signals from the respective upstream temperature detectors.