Ink Jet Dryer Temperature Control for Moisture Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing dryers face efficiency issues when handling large print media, as increased outside air introduction to manage moisture leads to temporary temperature drops, degrading drying capability and increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The ink jet printing apparatus incorporates a control unit that pre-raises the dryer temperature to a second target temperature before increasing outside air introduction, maintaining sufficient drying capability by adjusting the outside air amount and using a shutter mechanism to optimize air flow based on print medium size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If outside air introduction amount is increased to handle large print media or high moisture conditions, then drying capability is improved, but temperature in the dryer decreases temporarily degrading drying performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-raises the dryer temperature to a second target temperature (higher than the first target temperature) before increasing the outside air introduction amount. This preliminary temperature increase ensures that even when outside air is introduced and causes temporary temperature drop, the drying capability is maintained. The principle is applied by anticipating the temperature drop from outside air introduction and compensating in advance by heating to a higher temperature level.
2Quantity of substance
If outside air introduction amount is increased to manage moisture for large print media, then drying capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-raises the dryer temperature to a second target temperature before increasing outside air introduction. This preliminary action prevents the need for excessive heating power during outside air introduction, as the temperature is already elevated. The heater operates at optimized power levels by anticipating the moisture load from large print media and preparing the drying environment in advance.
3Quantity of substance
If outside air introduction amount is increased immediately, then moisture removal is improved, but drying capability degrades due to temperature drop
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary heating to a second target temperature before increasing outside air introduction amount. This ensures that when outside air is introduced to remove moisture, the drying capability is maintained because the temperature has already been elevated in advance. The sequence of operations is optimized to maintain reliable drying performance throughout the process.
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 suppresses the degradation of drying capability and maintains energy efficiency by ensuring consistent drying performance even with increased outside air intake, reducing power consumption and humidity-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured to heat air in the dryer
Implementation Method 2
a dryer configured to dry the ink on the print medium conveyed from the printing section
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a dryer configured to dry ink on a print medium. The dryer includes a heating unit configured to heat air in the dryer, and an outside air adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the amount of outside air introduced into the dryer. When the outside air adjustment mechanism is controlled so that the outside air introduction amount is increased, before the control of the outside air introduction amount, the heating unit is controlled so that heated air heated by the heating unit is preheated to a second target temperature higher than a predetermined first target temperature for a normal operation. Even if the outside air introduction amount is actually increased to temporarily reduce the temperature of heated air, the temperature of the heated air can be maintained at a value required for sufficient drying.