Distributed Suction Openings for Printed Media Dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed dryers used for drying printed media can cause media lifting due to negative pressure gradients created by recirculation holes, leading to mechanical interference, ink transfer, and reduced print speed, which is undesirable in high-speed printing systems.
Innovation Solution
Spreading suction openings along the path of the printed media to evenly distribute negative pressure and prevent lifting, with a collector guiding recirculated air back to the dryer for improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If recirculation holes are used to recirculate hot air, then drying efficiency is improved, but media lifting occurs due to negative pressure gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system is segmented into multiple distributed suction openings rather than a single集中 recirculation hole. This segmentation distributes the negative pressure across multiple points, preventing the formation of strong localized pressure gradients that cause media lifting, while still achieving effective hot air recirculation for drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction openings are strategically distributed at different locations along the media path, creating localized recirculation zones. This allows the negative pressure to be applied in a distributed manner rather than concentrated at one point, reducing media lifting while maintaining drying efficiency in different regions of the dryer.
2Speed
If high-speed hot air is impinged on printed media, then evaporation rate is improved, but media lifting and ink transfer occur
Solution Approach 1:
The high-speed hot air flow is segmented through multiple distributed suction openings that recirculate air at different locations. This prevents the formation of a single strong updraft that would cause media lifting and ink transfer, while maintaining high evaporation rates through distributed thermal and mass transfer zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed suction openings create a more uniform pressure distribution across the media surface, reducing pressure differentials that cause media lifting. This equipotential approach maintains the high-speed drying effect while minimizing harmful lifting and ink transfer.
3Use of energy by moving object
If recirculation holes concentrate negative pressure, then hot air recirculation is improved, but media lifting and mechanical interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrated recirculation function is segmented into multiple distributed suction openings. This maintains effective hot air recirculation by providing multiple access points for air intake, while distributing the negative pressure to avoid strong localized updrafts that cause media lifting and mechanical interference with the printing process.
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
Prevents media lifting and maintains high-speed printing by evenly distributing negative pressure, ensuring efficient drying and reducing ink transfer issues.
Implementation Method 1
The impact of the hot air against the printed media is that it accelerates evaporation of ink on the printed media
Implementation Method 2
dryers that impinge hot air at high speed are sometimes used
Implementation Method 3
negative pressure gradients created by recirculation holes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a dryer to force air onto a printed media during use to dry the printed media, and an air collector comprising at least one suction opening throughout which, in use, air from the dryer is collected. The apparatus may guide the collected air back to the dryer. The at least one suction opening may be arranged so as to stop the printed media from rising due to pressure differential.