Drying Apparatus Closing Member Isolates Heating Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drying apparatuses for inkjet-recorded media, the heater unit's high-temperature air can damage parts of the lifting mechanism due to inadequate separation between the heating space and the internal casing space.
Innovation Solution
A closing member is integrated into the drying apparatus, which moves in conjunction with the heater unit to separate the heating space from the internal casing space, preventing overheating of the lifting mechanism's components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the heater unit is lowered to treat jamming, then accessibility for removing jammed sheet is improved, but the lifting mechanism parts are exposed to high temperature causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the internal space into two separate zones: a heating space below the heater unit and an internal space of the casing containing the lifting mechanism. This spatial segmentation allows the heater to operate at high temperature without exposing the lifting mechanism parts to damaging heat, while still enabling the heater to be lowered for jamming treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a closing member as an intermediary element that moves between the heating space and the internal space. When the heater is lowered, the closing member closes off the heating space from the internal space, preventing hot air from reaching the lifting mechanism parts. This mediator allows both functions (heating and accessibility) to coexist without interference.
2Productivity
If the heater unit operates continuously, then drying efficiency is improved, but the lifting mechanism parts are damaged by high temperature exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into a heating space and an internal space of the casing, allowing continuous operation of the heater while protecting the lifting mechanism parts from thermal damage through spatial separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member acts as a mediator that maintains separation between the heating space and the internal space during continuous operation, preventing thermal damage to the lifting mechanism while allowing uninterrupted drying efficiency.
3Reliability
If a sponge is used to separate the heating space from the casing internal space, then thermal protection is improved, but the separation effect is reduced when the heater position varies or sponge deforms
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member is introduced as a more reliable intermediary compared to the sponge. It provides a consistent and dependable separation between the heating space and the internal space, eliminating the problems of position variation and deformation that occur with sponge-based solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a soft, deformable material like sponge that relies on compression to seal, the patent uses a rigid closing member that maintains its shape and sealing effectiveness regardless of position variations or deformation, inverting the approach from soft-seal to rigid-seal methodology.
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 closing member effectively isolates the internal casing space from the high-temperature heating space, protecting the lifting mechanism's parts from damage and maintaining the apparatus's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
blows a high temperature air to the conveyed recording medium
Implementation Method 2
Infrared rays emitted from the infrared heaters are reflected by the reflectors and irradiated downward
Data Source
AI summary
A drying apparatus includes a conveying unit, a heater unit, a casing, a lifting mechanism, and a closing member. The conveying unit supports and conveys the recording medium in a predetermined conveyance direction. The heater unit is disposed above the conveying unit, and blows a high temperature air to the conveyed recording medium. The casing houses the heater unit. The lifting mechanism is provided in the casing and supports the heater unit so as to be lifted and lowered. The closing member comes into contact with the heater unit when the heater unit is lowered, and separates a heating space below the heater unit from an internal space of the casing. The closing member is lifted and lowered within a predetermined range as the heater unit is lifted and lowered.