Heating Device with Independent Zone Control for Printer Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printers with heating functions, temperature uniformity across the support surface is challenging due to uneven heat distribution, leading to temperature differences between the center and end portions of the medium, which affects printing quality and ink drying.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with a support member featuring a first and second heating unit arranged from the center to the end, along with a control unit that independently controls their outputs based on temperature detection, ensures uniform temperature across the medium by compensating for heat loss in non-contact regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If wiring density per unit area of the heater is increased toward end portions to compensate for heat loss, then temperature uniformity at end portions is improved, but temperature difference between end portions and center portion remains due to constant heating amount ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is divided into multiple independent heating zones (first heating zone, second heating zone, third heating zone) along the scanning direction, each with its own heating amount control. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of heating amounts in different regions, enabling precise control of temperature distribution across the support surface, particularly addressing the temperature difference between end portions and center portion that cannot be resolved by uniform wiring density adjustments alone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating amounts are applied to different regions of the support surface based on local heat loss characteristics. The end portions receive higher heating amounts compared to the center portion, with further optimization within the end portions themselves. This local quality approach ensures that each region receives the precise heating amount needed to compensate for its specific heat loss, achieving overall temperature uniformity while eliminating the temperature difference between end and center portions.
2Temperature
If heating amount at end portions is increased to compensate for heat radiation loss, then temperature at end portions is improved, but temperature difference between end portions and center portion persists depending on environment temperature
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature detection units are installed at the end portions of the support surface to detect actual temperature conditions. The control unit uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust the heating amounts in each zone, ensuring that temperature differences between end portions and center portion are suppressed regardless of environmental temperature variations. This closed-loop control system maintains reliable temperature uniformity under varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating amounts in different zones are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit can independently modify the heating amount in each zone based on detected temperature conditions and environmental factors. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to changing environmental temperatures and maintain suppressed temperature differences between end portions and center portion throughout operation.
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 suppresses temperature differences between the end and center portions of the medium, enhancing printing quality by maintaining ink drying consistency and preventing defects like ink bleed-through.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating unit provided at the support member and configured to heat the support face contacted by the medium, a second heating unit provided at the support member and configured to heat the support face
Implementation Method 2
a detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the support face is provided in a second heated region heated by the second heating unit
Implementation Method 3
a support member including a support face extending in a width direction of a medium and configured to support the medium onto which a liquid is ejected
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a support member including a support face, a first heating unit heating the support face, a second heating unit heating the support face, and a control unit independently controlling an output of the first heating unit and an output of the second heating unit. A second heated region is positioned adjacent to a first heated region. The first heating unit and the second heating unit are arranged, in order, from a center, in the width direction, of the support face toward an end thereof. A second detection unit detecting a temperature of the support face is provided in the second heated region, at a location further to an opposite side from the first heating unit than a center, in the width direction, of the second heated region. The control unit controls an output of the second heating unit based on detection of the second detection unit.