Inkjet Recording Conveyance for Interruption Drying Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet systems face issues with image defects and thermal damage when recording on low ink absorption media due to ink droplets remaining in a liquid state, and long interruptions cause image unevenness and thermal damage during maintenance operations.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a drying unit using a collision jet stream and controlled conveyance operations to minimize image unevenness during interruptions, employing a conveyance unit and drying unit with air outlet ports to manage ink drying efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating temperature is increased to enhance drying efficiency, then drying efficiency is improved, but thermal damage to recording medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a collision jet stream (pneumatic method) to remove liquid components from ink droplets instead of relying solely on thermal heating. The jet stream physically impacts the ink droplets to accelerate solvent removal, thereby improving drying efficiency without increasing heating temperature and avoiding thermal damage to the recording medium.
2Productivity
If collision jet stream is used to enhance drying efficiency, then drying efficiency is improved, but image unevenness occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the collision jet stream into multiple streams arranged in a matrix pattern (multiple rows and columns). This segmentation distributes the drying action across multiple points, preventing concentration of force on a single area and thereby reducing image unevenness while maintaining overall drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local drying conditions by arranging jet streams at specific intervals and angles. The collision jet streams are positioned to create localized drying zones that prevent excessive drying in any single area, thereby suppressing image unevenness while maintaining effective drying across the entire recording medium surface.
3Reliability
If maintenance operation is performed during recording, then ink ejection characteristics are maintained, but recording medium is thermally damaged due to long-time stop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the collision jet stream during the maintenance operation period when the recording medium is stationary. This preliminary drying action removes liquid components before the medium is conveyed again, preventing thermal damage accumulation during extended stops while ensuring the recording medium is ready for the next ejection cycle.
4Productivity
If recording time is extended, then more content is recorded, but maintenance operations are required which cause interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying function with the maintenance operation timing. The collision jet stream is activated during maintenance interruptions to perform drying simultaneously with nozzle cleaning operations. This combination reduces the overall impact of interruptions by utilizing otherwise idle time for productive drying, thereby minimizing loss of recording time.
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
The solution effectively suppresses image unevenness and thermal damage by optimizing conveyance and drying processes, reducing power consumption, and maintaining image quality during maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
a drying unit having a plurality of air outlet ports arranged in the second direction, the drying unit spraying a jet stream of a gas from the air outlet ports toward a surface of the recording medium on which the ink has been ejected
Implementation Method 2
it is conceivable to dry the recording medium using a collision jet stream blowing a jet stream of a gas onto the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus alternately performs main scan for ejecting an ink to the recording medium and sub scan for conveying a prescribed conveyance amount of the recording medium by a conveyance unit. When a predetermined interruption operation is performed between first main scan and subsequent second main scan, the prescribed conveyance amount is conveyed by a small conveyance operation including a first small conveyance operation and a second small conveyance operation by the conveyance unit, and the conveyance amounts of the first small conveyance operation and the second small conveyance operation is determined on the basis of the gaps in a second direction of a plurality of air outlet ports so that a part of the recording medium facing the air outlet port after performing the first small conveyance operation may not be positioned at a position facing the air outlet port after performing the second small conveyance operation.