Dual-Surface Air Blowing for Inkjet Media Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recording devices that form images by ejecting ink onto a recording medium often face issues with deformation of the medium due to moisture, leading to poor stackability when discharged onto a tray, as existing solutions do not effectively address this deformation.
Innovation Solution
A recording device equipped with a recording head that ejects liquid onto a medium, featuring a discharge unit, a discharge tray, and multiple blowing units that blow air from upstream to downstream directions on both surfaces of the medium to prevent deformation, ensuring proper alignment and stackability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a single blowing fan is used to blow air to the discharged recording medium, then adhesion between paper sheets is reduced, but deformation of the recording medium due to moisture from ink ejection is not effectively suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing unit is divided into multiple independent blowing fans (first blowing fan, second blowing fan, third blowing fan) positioned at different locations. Each fan targets specific regions of the recording medium, allowing differentiated air flow control to address both adhesion and deformation issues simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Air blowing is applied from multiple spatial dimensions (above, below, and beside the recording medium) rather than a single direction. This multi-dimensional approach enables comprehensive suppression of deformation while maintaining effectiveness against adhesion
2Shape
If air blowing is applied to suppress deformation of the recording medium, then stackability is improved, but the complexity of the blowing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing fans are positioned to naturally blow air along the discharge path of the recording medium, utilizing the existing discharge flow rather than requiring complex additional mechanisms. The system leverages the natural movement of the medium through the device
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple blowing fans serve dual functions: suppressing deformation of the recording medium and preventing adhesion between stacked sheets. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each problem
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 air blowing mechanism effectively suppresses deformation of the recording medium during discharge and improves its stackability on the tray, enhancing the device's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first blowing unit that is disposed above the discharge unit in the vertical direction and blows air, from upstream toward downstream in the discharge direction, to one surface of the recording medium to be discharged to the discharge tray, a second blowing unit that is disposed between the discharge unit and the discharge tray in the vertical direction and blows air, from upstream toward downstream, to the other surface of the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a recording device that includes a recording head that ejects a liquid, a discharge unit that discharges a recorded recording medium, a discharge tray that receives a discharged recording medium, a first blowing unit that is disposed above the discharge unit and blows air toward one surface of the recording medium to be discharged to the discharge tray, and a second blowing unit that is disposed between the discharge unit and the discharge tray and blows air toward the other surface of the recording medium to be discharged to the discharge tray, and a control unit that controls the first blowing unit and the second blowing unit, in which deformation of the recording medium to be discharged is suppressed by the wind of the first blowing unit and the second blowing unit and the recording medium is discharged.