Heating Device Gas Outlet Segmentation for Recording Head Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium drying apparatuses face issues where heated gas from the drying process can impair the ejection performance of recording heads and hinder efficient drying due to gas flow towards the recording unit, and the formation of a diffusion layer on the medium surface slows down the drying process.

Innovation Solution

A medium processing apparatus with a heating unit and dual outlets is designed, where the first outlet directs gas away from the recording unit and the second outlet directs gas towards the region with the highest heating intensity to stir and remove the diffusion layer, improving drying efficiency while preventing gas flow towards the recording unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a blowing unit blows gas onto the medium to improve drying efficiency, then the drying performance is enhanced, but the heated gas may flow toward the recording unit and impair ejection performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidrecording head warming

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas outlet is divided into two separate outlets: a first outlet positioned closer to the recording unit that blows gas away from the recording unit, and a second outlet positioned closer to the heating unit that blows gas toward the heating unit. This segmentation allows independent control of gas flow directions to simultaneously protect the recording unit and enhance drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the apparatus are provided with different gas blowing functions: the first outlet region is designed to protect the recording unit by directing gas away from it, while the second outlet region is designed to maximize drying efficiency by directing gas toward the heating unit. Each local region has optimized gas flow characteristics suited to its specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If gas is blown toward the region with highest heating intensity to remove diffusion layer, then drying efficiency is improved, but the complexity of outlet configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidoutlet configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas outlet is divided into two separate outlets: a first outlet positioned closer to the recording unit that blows gas away from the recording unit, and a second outlet positioned closer to the heating unit that blows gas toward the heating unit. This segmentation allows independent control of gas flow directions to simultaneously protect the recording unit and enhance drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the apparatus are provided with different gas blowing functions: the first outlet region is designed to protect the recording unit by directing gas away from it, while the second outlet region is designed to maximize drying efficiency by directing gas toward the heating unit. Each local region has optimized gas flow characteristics suited to its specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively reduces the risk of heated gas reaching the recording unit, enhances drying efficiency by removing the diffusion layer, and maintains a high temperature within the apparatus, improving thermal efficiency and recording quality.

Implementation Method 1

a heating unit facing the support surface and including a heating element configured to heat the medium supported by the support surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a blower configured to blow out gas from the first outlet, wherein the first outlet is located closer to the recording unit than the heating unit is located, and is configured such that the gas blown out from the first outlet is directed along the support surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the gas inside the apparatus heated by the heating unit flows to the opposite side to the side where the recording unit is located along the support surface due to the gas blown out from the first outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

vapor generated by evaporation of a liquid may form a diffusion layer on the surface of the medium when the liquid attached to the medium is evaporated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 5

vapor generated by evaporation of a liquid may form a diffusion layer on the surface of the medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11241892B2Heating device and medium processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A medium processing apparatus includes a third support surface configured to support a medium downstream from a recording unit in a transport direction, the transport direction being a direction in which the medium to be printed by the recording unit putting a liquid on the medium is transported, a heating unit facing the third support surface and including a heating element configured to heat the medium supported by the third support surface, a first outlet opening toward the support surface, and a blower configured to blow out gas from the first outlet, wherein the first outlet is located closer to the recording unit than the heating unit is located, and is configured such that the gas blown out from the first outlet is directed along the third support surface and is directed away from the recording unit.