Inkjet Airflow Layout for Drying Non-Porous Recording Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording on non-porous media like PVC sheets leads to image degradation due to ink droplets remaining in liquid state, and existing heating and blowing units are inefficient in preventing this, leading to performance reduction.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a configuration that includes a heating unit upstream of the recording head, a fan to blow air, and a downstream unit with a fan to blow warm air and suction air, along with air suction units and air curtains to manage air flow and prevent mist from adhering to fans, ensuring efficient ink drying and image fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If heating and blowing units are used to accelerate evaporation of ink solvents on non-porous media, then image fixation quality is improved, but the heating unit performance deteriorates due to mist adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful mist from the air flow path by introducing a suction fan that draws air and mist away from the heating unit. The suction fan creates a separate air flow path that removes mist before it can adhere to the heating unit, thereby maintaining heating unit performance while preserving the evaporation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary medium to transport mist away from the heating unit. By using the suction fan to create controlled air flow, the mist is carried through the air flow path and removed from the system, preventing direct contact between mist and the heating unit surface.
2Reliability
If air flow is increased to remove mist from the heating unit, then heating unit performance is maintained, but ink droplet evaporation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow into two distinct paths: one path directed at the recording medium for ink droplet evaporation, and another path for mist removal from the heating unit. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, maintaining both evaporation effectiveness and heating unit performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different air flow characteristics to different locations: strong air flow is applied locally at the heating unit area for mist removal, while controlled air flow is maintained at the recording medium area for effective ink evaporation. This localized quality control ensures both functions are optimized for their specific purposes.
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
Prevents mist from adhering to fans, maintaining the performance of the heating unit, and ensuring high-quality image fixation on non-porous media by effectively evaporating ink solvents.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating unit that is arranged upstream of the recording head in the first direction in the housing, that includes a first heater and a first fan, and is configured to blow air in the recording region
Implementation Method 2
a second heating unit that is arranged downstream of the recording head in the first direction outside the housing, that includes a second heater and a second fan, and is configured to blow warm air to the recording medium
Implementation Method 3
a method of blowing air and/or heating are used to accelerate evaporation of solutions, such as water in the ink droplets on the recording medium and solvents to fix color materials on the surface of the recording medium
Implementation Method 4
the second fan is configured to suction air from an air suction unit disposed to face the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a recording head, a conveyance unit, a housing, and first and second heating units. The recording head performs recording in a recording region by discharging liquid onto a recording medium conveyed in a first direction by the conveyance unit. The housing has an opening in a side surface of the housing. The first heating unit is arranged upstream of the recording head in the first direction in the housing, includes a first heater and a first fan, and blows air in the recording region. The second heating unit is arranged downstream of the recording head in the first direction outside the housing, includes a second heater and a second fan, and blows warm air to the recording medium. The second fan suctions air from an air suction unit that faces the recording medium and is arranged below the side surface opening in a gravitational direction.