Droplet Drying Device With Segmented Light Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing droplet drying devices for image forming apparatuses are costly due to the uniform arrangement of high-cost light emitting devices, which results in unnecessary high light irradiation capabilities in regions with low image forming density, leading to increased costs without corresponding benefits in drying performance.
Innovation Solution
The droplet drying device employs a two-dimensional arrangement of light emitting devices with a regular irradiation capability portion and a low irradiation capability portion, where the latter has reduced light emitting device density or uses devices with lower light output capabilities, specifically arranged in regions with low image forming density to minimize costs while maintaining effective drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light emitting devices are uniformly arranged with high light irradiation capability across the entire recording medium, then drying performance is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the light emitting device array into two distinct regions: a first region corresponding to the image forming region with high light irradiation capability for effective drying, and a second region corresponding to the non-image forming region with low or no light irradiation capability. This localized differentiation ensures that high-cost high-performance light emitting devices are only deployed where actually needed for drying ink droplets, while reducing costs in regions where drying is not required.
2Illumination intensity
If high-cost light emitting devices are used throughout the entire array, then light irradiation capability is sufficient for all regions, but unnecessary high capability is provided in low-density regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating spatially differentiated light irradiation capabilities across the recording medium width. The first region (image forming region) receives high light irradiation intensity from high-performance light emitting devices to ensure adequate drying of ink droplets. The second region (non-image forming region) receives reduced or no light irradiation, eliminating unnecessary deployment of high-cost devices and reducing the total quantity of high-performance light emitting devices required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light emitting device array into two functional segments: a first light emitting device array for the image forming region with high light irradiation capability, and a second light emitting device array for the non-image forming region with low or no light irradiation capability. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region's light irradiation characteristics, reducing overall device cost while maintaining necessary drying performance in the image forming region.
3Reliability
If uniform light irradiation is applied across the entire recording medium, then drying is ensured in all regions, but cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating light irradiation capability between regions: the first region (image forming region) receives high light irradiation to ensure effective drying of ink droplets, while the second region (non-image forming region) receives reduced or no light irradiation. This localized approach ensures drying effectiveness where needed while improving cost efficiency by eliminating unnecessary light irradiation capability in regions where drying is not required.
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 reduces the overall cost of the droplet drying device by lowering the number of high-cost light emitting devices and allows for adjustable drying capabilities, ensuring efficient drying without excessive light irradiation in low-density image forming regions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting devices are arranged in a two-dimensional manner to irradiate droplets with light to dry the droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A droplet drying device includes a plurality of light emitting devices arranged in a two-dimensional manner to irradiate droplets with light to dry the droplets, the droplets being ejected on a recording medium by an ejection unit, a regular irradiation capability portion provided in a region corresponding to an image forming region of the recording medium where an image is formed, the regular irradiation capability portion having a predetermined light irradiation capability, and a low irradiation capability portion provided in a region corresponding to a region of the recording medium set to have a lower image-forming density than the image forming region, a light irradiation capability of the low irradiation capability portion being lower than the predetermined light irradiation capability.