Dimpled Vacuum Belt for Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet printing devices face challenges in handling large or multiple inkjet receivers, which can be brittle or prone to curling, leading to decoupling during printing and extended vacuum pressure duration after power shut-off, especially with stiff substrates like corrugated fiberboards, affecting production efficiency in industrial environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vacuum belt with dimples on its surface, forming air-cups that enhance air suction and reduce the power required for coupling, minimizing decoupling risks and shortening the duration of remaining vacuum pressure, thereby improving handling and print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If very strong vacuum power is used to couple large inkjet receivers to the vacuum belt, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the inkjet receiver may be deformed or broken due to excessive air suction force
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum belt surface is segmented into multiple dimples distributed across the surface. Each dimple acts as an independent vacuum coupling point, distributing the total vacuum force across many locations rather than concentrating it in few large suction holes. This segmentation reduces the local suction force at each point while maintaining overall coupling reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimples create localized vacuum zones with controlled suction characteristics. Each dimple provides a localized coupling point with optimized air suction properties, allowing the system to achieve reliable coupling without requiring uniformly high vacuum power across the entire surface, thereby reducing the risk of deformation.
2Productivity
If large vacuum belts are used to transport large or multiple inkjet receivers, then the transport capacity is improved, but the duration of remaining vacuum pressure after power shut-off is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The large vacuum belt is functionally segmented into multiple dimple-based vacuum zones. When power is shut off, the vacuum pressure can be released through multiple distributed pathways via the dimples, rather than through a single large vacuum system. This segmentation accelerates the de-vacuum process while maintaining the large belt's transport capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimples create a porous-like structure on the vacuum belt surface with numerous small openings. This structure facilitates faster pressure equalization when vacuum power is shut off, as air can rapidly enter through multiple small dimple openings, significantly reducing the de-vacuum time compared to traditional large vacuum belt designs.
3Reliability
If traditional vacuum belts with air suction holes are used, then the coupling function is achieved, but visible imprintings are created on the inkjet receiver surface
Solution Approach 1:
The dimples provide localized coupling points that concentrate vacuum force in small, controlled areas rather than distributing it through large visible holes. This local quality approach maintains effective coupling while the small dimple size prevents visible imprintings on the inkjet receiver surface, preserving print quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimpled surface geometry creates curved, rounded vacuum zones that distribute stress more evenly and reduce sharp pressure points. This curvature in the dimple design helps prevent visible imprintings while maintaining effective vacuum coupling, unlike traditional flat or hole-based designs.
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 dimpled vacuum belt ensures reliable coupling of inkjet receivers to the printhead, reduces deformation risks, and minimizes imprinting from air channels, enhancing print quality and production efficiency by reducing the need for high-powered air suction and shortening vacuum pressure duration.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum belt (100) to transport an inkjet receiver (200) underneath a printhead (75)... by air suction in the set of air-channels (505)... comprising a dimple (300) at the top-surface... to couple the inkjet receiver (200) to the vacuum belt (100) at the dimple (300) by air suction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An inkjet printing method on inkjet printing device (50) comprising a vacuum belt (100) wherein the vacuum belt comprises a set of air-channels (505) connecting top-surface (106) and bottom-surface (108) from the vacuum belt (100); and - the set of air-channels (505) couples an inkjet receiver (200) to the vacuum belt (100) by air suction in the set of air-channels (505); and wherein the vacuum belt (100) comprises a dimple (300) at the top-surface; and wherein the dimple (300) has a closed bottom end; and wherein the dimple (300) is connected with an air-channel of the set of air-channels (505) to form an air cup (350) and to couple the inkjet receiver (200) to the vacuum belt (100) at the dimple (300) by air suction.