Dual UV Irradiation for Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Curing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in achieving optimal light irradiation conditions for printing, leading to inconsistent image quality due to varying light intensity after dot formation, which can result in incomplete curing or energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a dual irradiation system, where a first irradiation section provides initial UV irradiation to regulate image surface conditions and a second irradiation section adjusts intensity based on the first's output to ensure complete curing, allowing for optimized irradiation conditions and reliable dot formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the irradiation intensity of light is changed just after dot formation to regulate image surface condition, then the feeling of the image is improved, but the dots may not be completely cured or energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiation system is divided into two separate irradiation sections: a first irradiation section that provides initial irradiation just after dot formation to regulate surface condition, and a second irradiation section that provides subsequent irradiation to ensure complete curing. This segmentation allows each section to have optimized irradiation intensity for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between surface quality and curing completeness.
2Reliability
If the irradiation intensity of light is increased to ensure complete curing, then the dots are reliably cured, but energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The total irradiation process is segmented into two stages with different intensity requirements. The first irradiation section uses lower intensity for initial surface regulation, and the second irradiation section uses optimized intensity for complete curing. This prevents excessive energy consumption while ensuring reliable curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The irradiation intensity parameter is changed between the two irradiation sections. The first section uses one intensity level for surface condition regulation, while the second section uses a different intensity level optimized for complete curing. This parameter optimization reduces energy waste while maintaining curing reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single irradiation section is used to control both surface condition and curing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the irradiation conditions cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiation system is segmented into two independent irradiation sections, each capable of independent intensity control. This segmentation enables optimized irradiation conditions for different stages of the curing process, achieving both surface quality and complete curing reliability.
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 approach enables the printing of desired images with optimized light irradiation conditions, ensuring complete dot curing and minimizing energy wastage, while allowing for adjustment based on surface conditions and media types.
Implementation Method 1
a first irradiation section that is disposed at the carriage, irradiates the light and is arranged at the upstream side or the downstream side from the head in the movement direction
Implementation Method 2
a second irradiation section that irradiates the light and is arranged at the downstream side from the first irradiation section in the transportation direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage (21) that has a head ejecting liquid cured by receiving the irradiation of light and moves in a movement direction intersecting a transportation direction of a medium; a first irradiation section (42a) that is disposed at the carriage (21), irradiates the light; a second irradiation section (43a) that irradiates the light and is arranged at the downstream side from the first irradiation section (42a) in the transportation direction; and a controller that performs control of the irradiation intensity of the light of the first irradiation section (42a) at the time of the ejection operation to regulate the surface condition of the image and to change the irradiation intensity of the light of the second irradiation section (43a) according to the irradiation intensity of the light of the first irradiation section (42a).