Drying Device Air Circulation Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying devices for inkjet images consume high electric power due to inefficiencies in heating and blowing warm air, leading to wasted heat and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A drying device with a casing, a belt having through holes, a vertical blowing unit with a suction and blowout opening, and a suction unit with a first and second exhaust duct, allowing for air circulation within the casing to reduce energy waste and enhance drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If warm air is blown onto the sheet using a heater and blowing fan, then the sheet is dried effectively, but electric power consumption increases due to heat waste and inefficient air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air containing heat is recovered through the exhaust duct connected to the blowing duct, and this recovered heat is reused to pre-heat the incoming air. This prevents heat waste by capturing and reutilizing thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded, directly reducing electric power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes continuous circulation of warm air through the casing, where exhaust air is continuously recovered and fed back into the blowing duct. This continuous circulation maintains a sustained thermal environment for drying without requiring repeated heating cycles, improving energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If warm air is blown onto the sheet from above, then the sheet is dried, but the warm air is wasted as exhaustion from the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is configured to recover warm air that would otherwise be wasted, capturing it before it exits the apparatus. This recovered warm air is then redirected back into the blowing duct to continue the drying process, eliminating waste and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own exhaust air to serve the drying function again, creating a self-sustaining circulation loop. The warm air generated during drying is reused to maintain the drying environment, reducing the need for additional external energy input.
3Reliability
If a suction belt with holes is used to convey the sheet, then the sheet is conveyed stably, but the structure becomes more complex with multiple ducts and fans
Solution Approach 1:
The belt with through holes serves multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys the sheet through suction while also facilitating air circulation from below the belt to the exhaust duct. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable sheet conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust duct is positioned to utilize the space and structure already created by the belt's through holes, merging the air circulation function with the sheet conveyance function. This integration combines multiple functions into a unified structure, reducing device complexity.
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 solution reduces energy consumption by recycling heat and improving the drying efficiency of inkjet images, preventing wastage of warm air and maintaining stable sheet conveyance during the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing fan for blowing from the suction opening toward the blowout opening in the blowing duct
Implementation Method 2
a suction fan for blowing from the plurality of through holes toward the first exhaust opening inside the first exhaust duct
Implementation Method 3
heating air with a heater and blowing warm air onto a sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A drying device drying a sheet with an ink image includes a belt with through holes penetrating through inner and outer sides thereof, a blowing unit and a suction unit. The blowing unit upward of the belt includes a blowing duct including a blowout opening blowing out the air toward the sheet and a blowing fan blowing toward the blowout opening in the blowing duct. The suction unit downward of the belt includes a first exhaust duct including a first exhaust opening sucking the air from the inner side through the through holes and a suction fan blowing toward the first exhaust opening inside the first exhaust duct. The second exhaust duct is connected to the first exhaust opening and provided with a second exhaust opening exhausting the air to the inside of a casing. The second exhaust opening is disposed to exhaust upward at a position above the belt.