Heating Section Support Segmentation for Thermal Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared heaters and similar drying devices face issues with deformation due to thermal expansion, which can lead to uneven heating and affect the quality of printed media, as the heat generating sections expand and contract, potentially bending or deforming under their own weight.
Innovation Solution
A drying device and printing device design that includes a heat generating section supported by a fix-supporting section in one lateral region and a free-supporting section in a different lateral region, allowing for expansion and contraction, with an intermediate supporting section to reduce bending risks, and an air blowing system to manage temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the infrared radiation section is made longer to heat a wider medium, then the heating coverage is improved, but the amount of thermal expansion increases causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is segmented into multiple sections: a first supporting section that fixes the heat generating section at one end, a second supporting section that freely supports it at another end, and an intermediate supporting section that provides partial support. This segmentation allows different portions of the heat generating section to expand independently, preventing overall deformation while maintaining wide heating coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heat generating section are provided with different supporting characteristics: the first lateral region has fixed support to prevent excessive movement, the second lateral region has free support to accommodate expansion, and the intermediate region has partial support. This local differentiation of support quality allows the long heat generating section to maintain its shape while expanding.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heat generating section is fixed at both ends to prevent deformation, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion is restricted causing stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure transitions from a static fixed-fixed configuration to a dynamic fixed-free configuration with intermediate support. The heat generating section can dynamically adjust its length through thermal expansion while the first supporting section provides a fixed reference point and the second supporting section allows free movement, accommodating dimensional changes without creating stress concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate supporting section acts as a mediator between the fixed first supporting section and the free second supporting section. It provides partial support that helps distribute the thermal expansion stress, preventing excessive stress concentration at any single point while maintaining overall structural stability during temperature changes.
3Strength
If the heat generating section is made more rigid to maintain shape, then deformation resistance is improved, but thermal expansion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting system is segmented to provide different constraints at different locations. The first supporting section provides strong fixed support for structural stability, the intermediate supporting section provides moderate support for distribution of stresses, and the second supporting section provides minimal constraint to allow free thermal expansion. This segmentation enables the rigid heat generating section to expand without excessive stress.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the supporting structure have different rigidity characteristics: the first supporting section has high rigidity to prevent excessive deformation, the intermediate supporting section has moderate rigidity to distribute stresses, and the second supporting section has low rigidity to accommodate expansion. This local differentiation of support rigidity allows the heat generating section to maintain shape while expanding.
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 design reduces the risk of deformation and heating unevenness, ensuring consistent heating across the medium, improving print quality and extending the lifespan of the heat generating components.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generating section configured to heat, over a width direction, the medium supported by the supporting section
Implementation Method 2
a heat generating section configured to heat, over a width direction, the medium supported by the supporting section
Implementation Method 3
The infrared radiation section may expand with heat. The longer the length of the infrared radiation section, the more the amount of expansion of the infrared radiation section increases
Data Source
AI summary
A drying device includes: a supporting section that supports a medium on which printing was performed; a conveying section that conveys, along a conveying region, the medium supported by the supporting section; a heat generating section configured to heat, over a width direction, the medium supported by the supporting section; a fix-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section fixing the heat generating section; and free-supporting section configured to support the heat generating section so that the heat generating section can expand and contract, wherein the fix-supporting section is located in a first lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction, and the free-supporting section is located in a second lateral region that is a region outside the conveying region in the width direction and different from the first lateral region.