Dye Sublimation Printing Backside Heating Uniformity

Solution Overview

Problem

Dye sublimation printing technologies face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution and image quality due to non-uniform sublimation agent distribution and varying absorbance properties across different colors, leading to temperature gradients and potential wrinkles or warpages in printed materials.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a sublimation device that generates heat radiation from the backside of the print medium, combined with an auxiliary heating device that pre-heats the print medium, to ensure uniform heat absorption and distribution, reducing temperature gradients and improving image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heat is applied to the print fluid to cause sublimation, then the sublimation process is achieved, but temperature gradients and non-uniform temperature distribution occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is divided into two separate stages: a first heating device performs initial heating to a first temperature, and a second heating device performs sublimation heating to a second temperature. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall temperature uniformity and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first heating device pre-heats the print medium and print fluid to a first temperature before the second heating device applies sublimation heat. This preliminary action ensures more uniform initial conditions, reducing temperature gradients during the actual sublimation process and improving image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the print fluid is heated for sublimation, then the dye transfer is achieved, but wrinkles or warpages occur in the printed material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidsubstrate flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is divided into two separate stages: a first heating device performs initial heating to a first temperature, and a second heating device performs sublimation heating to a second temperature. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall temperature uniformity and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses different temperature parameters for different stages: a first temperature for pre-heating and a second temperature for sublimation. This parameter change approach allows controlled heating that achieves dye transfer while minimizing substrate deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If different colors with varying absorbance properties are printed, then color diversity is achieved, but non-uniform sublimation and temperature gradients occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor varietyVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is divided into two separate stages: a first heating device performs initial heating to a first temperature, and a second heating device performs sublimation heating to a second temperature. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall temperature uniformity and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses different temperature parameters for different stages: a first temperature for pre-heating and a second temperature for sublimation. This parameter change approach allows controlled heating that achieves dye transfer while minimizing substrate deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a more uniform temperature distribution across the print medium, enhancing image quality and reducing the risk of wrinkles and warpages by optimizing heat transfer mechanisms and distribution.

Implementation Method 1

The sublimation device 104 is operable to sublimate the sublimation agent deposited on the print medium M

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 2

The sublimation device 104 may comprise a light source to generate the heat radiation R

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The first heating device 204 may be arranged upstream of the depositing device 202 and/or downstream of the depositing device 202

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230126225A1Dye sublimation printing

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A printing apparatus comprises a depositing device and a sublimation device. The depositing device may deposit a print fluid on a first surface of a print medium. The print fluid comprises a sublimation agent to sublimate at a sublimation temperature. The sublimation device may sublimate the sublimation agent deposited on the print medium by generating heat radiation in a direction from a second surface of the print medium towards the first surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface.