Inkjet Absorber with Gradient Pores and Gas Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods struggle to maintain image quality and printing speed as existing absorbers either absorb liquids too slowly or require high energy for drying, leading to issues like curling and cockling in larger prints.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording apparatus with a porous body that has a smaller pore size on the surface contacting the image and a larger pore size on the opposing surface, utilizing a gas ejection member to extrude liquids from the larger surface, effectively absorbing and removing ink components without thermal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a separate member such as a wick is used to reabsorb liquid from the absorber, then the liquid can be collected, but the reabsorption speed is too slow to follow high printing speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wick-based reabsorption system with a gas flow-based liquid removal system. Gas is supplied to the absorber to actively blow out absorbed liquid, replacing the passive capillary action of wicks with an active gas flow mechanism that operates at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gas flow (pneumatics) to remove liquid from the absorber. A gas supply unit provides gas to the absorber, and the gas flow actively blows out the absorbed liquid through discharge holes, enabling high-speed liquid removal that matches high printing speeds.
2Productivity
If thermal energy is used to dry the liquid component in the ink, then the liquid can be removed rapidly, but large energy is required and long drying furnaces are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal drying methods with a mechanical gas flow-based liquid removal system. Instead of using heat to evaporate liquid, gas flow actively blows out the liquid from the absorber, achieving rapid liquid removal without thermal energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent avoids phase transition (evaporation) by using gas flow to physically blow out liquid from the absorber. The liquid is removed in liquid form through the discharge holes rather than being evaporated, eliminating the need for thermal energy and long drying furnaces.
3Quantity of substance
If elastic deformation is used in squeezing mechanisms to remove liquid, then liquid can be extracted, but elastic deformation occurs making it difficult to maintain constant contact pressure and image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the elastic deformation-based squeezing mechanism with a gas flow-based liquid removal system. Gas is supplied to actively blow out liquid from the absorber, eliminating elastic deformation and maintaining stable contact pressure between the absorber and the medium.
4Quantity of substance
If the absorber contacts the image from the printing medium side in high-speed printing, then liquid absorption can occur, but reabsorption speed does not follow printing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gas flow to actively remove liquid from the absorber at high speed. The gas supply unit provides gas that flows through the absorber and blows out absorbed liquid through discharge holes, enabling reabsorption/removal speed to match high printing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive wick-based reabsorption with active gas flow-based liquid removal. The gas flow mechanism actively blows out liquid from the absorber, achieving high-speed liquid removal that follows high printing speeds.
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 enhances printing speed and image quality by efficiently removing ink components, reducing curling and cockling, and allowing for larger print sizes without the need for high energy drying processes.
Implementation Method 1
a porous body which has a first surface that is a side contacting the first image and a second surface opposing the first surface, and in which an average pore size of the second surface is larger than an average pore size of the first surface
Implementation Method 2
a liquid collecting device that collects the first liquid absorbed in the porous body, and includes a gas ejection member that ejects gas to the second surface of the porous body to extrude the first liquid from the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a first image containing a first liquid and a coloring material on an ink receiving medium, a liquid absorbing member that has a porous body coming in contact with the first image and absorbing at least a part of the first liquid from the first image, and a liquid collecting device that collects the first liquid absorbed in the porous body. The porous body has a first surface that is a side contacting the first image, and a second surface opposing the first surface. An average pore size of the second surface of the porous body is larger than an average pore size of the first surface. In addition, the liquid collecting device includes a gas ejection member that ejects gas to the second surface of the porous body to extrude the first liquid from the second surface.