Drying Device Asymmetric Suction to Prevent Paper Curling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying devices for image-forming systems, particularly those using inkjet technology, face challenges in effectively drying images on recording media while conveying them, often resulting in issues like curling and color shifts due to uneven drying forces.
Innovation Solution
A drying device with a conveyance belt having through holes across its surface, a heating section that applies warm air to dry the image, and a suction section that increases pressing and attracting forces on the downstream side to enhance drying efficiency and prevent curling, by varying the diameter of through holes and section volumes to control air flow and suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If uniform drying force is applied across the entire recording medium, then the drying process is simplified, but curling and color shifts occur due to uneven drying distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The drying device applies different drying forces to different regions of the recording medium. Specifically, the downstream side (leading end) receives stronger pressing and suction forces compared to the upstream side (trailing end). This local differentiation prevents curling and color shifts by addressing the uneven drying distribution that occurs with uniform drying forces.
2Manufacturing precision
If strong pressing and suction forces are applied to prevent curling, then image quality improves, but the complexity of controlling force distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing and suction sections are divided into multiple regions along the conveyance direction. Each region has independently controllable force application, with the downstream side configured to exert stronger forces than the upstream side. This segmentation allows precise control of force distribution without requiring complex centralized control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying device employs asymmetric force distribution where the pressing force and suction force are deliberately made stronger on the downstream side (leading end) compared to the upstream side (trailing end). This asymmetric configuration naturally prevents curling while simplifying the control mechanism, as the force gradient is built into the device structure rather than requiring active control.
3Productivity
If the recording medium is firmly pressed against the conveyance belt, then drying efficiency improves, but the medium may stick or deform
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing force is applied dynamically with stronger force on the downstream side where the medium is more stable during conveyance, and gradually reduced toward the upstream side. This dynamic force distribution maintains firm contact for efficient drying while preventing sticking and deformation by reducing pressure on the more vulnerable upstream regions.
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 ensures efficient drying of images on recording media, preventing curling and color shifts by increasing drying forces on the downstream side, while maintaining controlled air flow and suction to optimize the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
a heating section that applies warm air to the medium to dry the image
Implementation Method 2
a suction section that attracts the medium onto the conveyance belt by sucking air through the through holes
Data Source
AI summary
A drying device that dries a medium having an image formed thereon while conveying the medium, includes a conveyance belt having through holes formed in an entire surface thereof and supporting and conveying the medium in a predetermined conveyance direction, a heating section that applies warm air to the medium to dry the image and presses the medium onto the conveyance belt by the warm air, and a suction section that attracts the medium onto the conveyance belt by sucking air through the through holes. At least one of a force with which the heating section presses the sheet against the conveyance belt and a force with which the suction section attracts the medium to the conveyance belt is greater on a downstream side than on an upstream side in the conveyance direction.