Inkjet Printer Drying Control for Recording Medium Undulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing technologies cause undulation in recording media due to ink application and drying processes, which leads to long-term flatness issues, particularly in book printing, as the media becomes mechanically modified and fails to return to its original flat state.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining boundary condition data and adjusting printer operating parameters, such as drying energy distribution and web tension, to minimize undulation by optimizing the printing and drying processes, including the use of sensor data to regulate residual moisture and heat influx on the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inkjet printing and drying processes are applied to recording medium, then print image is produced and ink is fixed onto the recording medium, but undulation occurs and flatness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting drying energy distribution across different zones of the dryer and modifying web tension parameters during printing and drying. These parameter modifications optimize the drying process to minimize undulation while maintaining effective ink fixation on the recording medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different drying energy levels to different zones of the recording medium. The dryer is divided into multiple zones with varying energy intensities, allowing localized control over the drying process to prevent undulation in specific areas while ensuring complete ink fixation.
2Productivity
If drying energy is increased to fix ink faster, then drying efficiency is improved, but undulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the dryer into multiple zones along the drying route, with each zone providing a different level of drying energy. This segmented approach allows the system to maintain high overall drying efficiency while controlling localized energy input to prevent undulation formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the drying energy distribution adjustable and adaptable. The system can dynamically modify drying parameters based on the specific recording medium properties and print conditions, optimizing both drying efficiency and flatness maintenance.
3Quantity of substance
If recording medium is moistened with ink, then print image is formed, but mechanical modification causes permanent undulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a controlled drying process that addresses moisture distribution before undulation can permanently set. The multi-zone drying system prepares the recording medium through progressive drying stages, preventing the mechanical modifications that lead to permanent undulation while ensuring complete ink formation.
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 effectively reduces undulation in printed and dried recording media, maintaining flatness without compromising color space or wear resistance, and can be adapted to various types and properties of recording materials.
Implementation Method 1
The individual drying modules may be set up to blow a heated, gaseous drying medium, in particular air, onto the surface of the recording medium in order to dry said recording medium
Implementation Method 2
blow a heated, gaseous drying medium, in particular air, onto the surface of the recording medium in order to dry said recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
In methods and systems for reducing the undulation of a recording medium that has been printed to in an inkjet printer, operating parameters—such as the applied drying energy and/or the web tension of the recording medium during the drying of the recording medium—are set or adapted for or during the printing operation in order to reduce the undulation of the printed and dried recording medium.