Gradient Heat Roller Control for Thermal Deformation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing apparatuses, the use of multiple heat rollers to dry sheets can lead to damage due to excessive heat, causing issues like wrinkles and deformation in the recording medium.
Innovation Solution
A recording medium heating apparatus with multiple heat rollers, where the temperature of each roller is controlled to create a gradient, with the first roller having the lowest temperature and subsequent rollers increasing in temperature, minimizing thermal load and preventing sudden temperature increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple heat rollers are used to dry the sheet, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the recording medium may be damaged due to excessive heat
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is segmented into multiple heat rollers (first heat roller, second heat roller, third heat roller) arranged in sequence along the sheet feeding path. Each roller operates at a different temperature level, dividing the thermal drying load into manageable stages rather than applying excessive heat from a single source.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heat roller is assigned a specific temperature characteristic tailored to its position in the drying sequence. The first heat roller operates at a lower temperature (e.g., 40-60°C) for initial gentle drying, while subsequent rollers operate at progressively higher temperatures. This local differentiation of thermal properties allows efficient drying while protecting the recording medium from thermal damage.
2Productivity
If high temperature is applied to evaporate ink solvent, then the evaporation efficiency is improved, but the recording medium may deform or wrinkle
Solution Approach 1:
The first heat roller performs preliminary drying at a lower temperature before the sheet reaches the higher-temperature second and third heat rollers. This preliminary action removes excess moisture gradually, preparing the recording medium for subsequent higher-temperature treatment without causing immediate deformation or wrinkling.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter is changed progressively across the three heat rollers rather than maintaining a constant high temperature. The first heat roller uses a lower temperature range (40-60°C), the second heat roller uses a medium temperature range (60-80°C), and the third heat roller uses a higher temperature range (80-100°C). This parameter progression achieves efficient evaporation while preventing thermal deformation.
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 effectively reduces the risk of damage to the recording medium by managing heat distribution, ensuring efficient evaporation of ink solvents while maintaining print quality and preventing thermal deformation.
Implementation Method 1
To evaporate ink solvent printed on a sheet in a printing apparatus such as a rotary press, there is a known technique in which a plurality of heat rollers provided along the sheet feeding path are used to dry the sheet
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat rollers disposed in a feeding path of a recording medium and having respective heating units
Data Source
AI summary
A recording medium heating apparatus includes a plurality of heat rollers disposed in a feeding path of a recording medium and having respective heating units; and a control unit controlling temperatures of the heating units so that the temperature of a first heat roller is lower than the temperature of a second heat roller. Further, the first and the second heat rollers are included in the plurality of heat rollers and the first heat roller is disposed on the upstream side of the second heat roller in the feeding path.