Electrostatic Inkjet Printing with Disposable Image-Receiving Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing technologies face challenges in achieving high-quality image formation while reducing costs, space, and time, particularly in efficiently using and maintaining the transfer member and fluid ejection components.
Innovation Solution
An image formation device employing an electrically charged, semi-liquid image-receiving holder on a transfer member to receive ink particles, with a dielectric carrier fluid, and an electrostatic charge source to fix the ink particles, allowing for higher quality images and reduced maintenance through a binder-free inkjet process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective outer layer of additive material (resin) is provided on the transfer member, then the transfer member is protected, but the complexity of the transfer member structure increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the protective outer layer (resin coating) from the transfer member structure. Instead of having a complex multi-layer transfer member with protective coating, the invention uses a simple, unprotected transfer member that receives a separate image-receiving holder for each imaging cycle. This extracts the protective function from the transfer member itself and replaces it with a disposable holder, thereby reducing transfer member complexity while maintaining protection of the imaging surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a disposable image-receiving holder that is used for a single imaging cycle and then discarded. This disposable holder replaces the need for a complex, protected, and maintainable transfer member structure. The holder is inexpensive and single-use, eliminating the need for protective layers and complex maintenance procedures on the transfer member itself.
2Manufacturing precision
If ink receiving particles forming an ink receiving particle layer are used on the transfer member, then ink reception is improved, but the transfer member requires charging mechanisms and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ink reception function from the transfer member by using a separate image-receiving holder. The holder is provided with a uniform negative charge and receives ink particles during the imaging cycle. This separates the ink reception mechanism from the transfer member, eliminating the need for complex charging mechanisms on the transfer member itself while maintaining high-quality ink reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable image-receiving holder replaces the complex, charged transfer member structure. The holder is inexpensive, single-use, and pre-charged with a uniform negative charge to receive ink particles. This eliminates the need for complex charging mechanisms on the transfer member while achieving the same ink reception function.
3Reliability
If a continuous layer of resin is used as protective outer layer, then the transfer member is protected, but the space and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the continuous resin layer from the transfer member structure. Instead of applying a protective resin coating to the transfer member, the invention uses a separate disposable image-receiving holder that is discarded after each use. This extracts the protective function from the transfer member and eliminates the need for resin material on the transfer member itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable image-receiving holder replaces the resin-coated transfer member. The holder is inexpensive and single-use, eliminating the need for continuous resin material on the transfer member. This reduces both the quantity of resin material required and the complexity of the transfer member structure.
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 results in higher quality images, reduced maintenance needs, and increased longevity of the transfer member, along with lower operational costs and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an image-receiving holder 24 to receive a coating layer of electrically charged, semi-liquid material on the transfer member 22
Implementation Method 2
a charge source to emit airborne charges to charge the ink particles to move, via electrostatic attraction relative to the transfer member and relative to the electrically charged, image-receiving holder
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~5
AI summary
An image formation device includes a transfer member and a first portion to receive an electrically charged, image-receiving holder onto the transfer member. A second portion downstream from the first portion is to receive droplets of ink particles within a dielectric carrier fluid onto the electrically charged, image-receiving holder to form at least part of an image. A charge source is to emit airborne charges to charge the ink particles to move, via attraction relative to the image-receiving holder, through the carrier fluid to become electrostatically fixed relative to the image-receiving holder. A liquid removal unit is to remove at least the carrier fluid from at least a surface of the image-receiving holder. A transfer station is to transfer the ink particles of the image and the image-receiving holder together from the transfer member to an image formation medium.