Partially Dried Inkjet Media Fusers for Curl and Cockle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers often produce partially dried media with distorted properties such as curl, cockle, and reduced stiffness due to unabsorbed printing fluid, which complicates finishing processes like stacking and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A system of fusers with heated and non-heated rollers applies pressure and heat to partially dried inkjet media, utilizing varying wrap angles and tension to enhance drying and restore media properties, coupled between the printer and finisher to facilitate smoother processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If inkjet printers deposit printing fluid onto printable media, then printing can be performed, but the media develops distorted properties such as curl, cockle, and reduced stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The fuser applies heat and pressure to the media immediately after printing while the printing fluid is still partially dry, preventing the development of distorted properties before the media reaches the finisher. This preliminary action restores stiffness and eliminates curl/cockle in real-time during the printing process.
2Productivity
If printing fluid is deposited on media, then printing output is produced, but finishing processes become difficult due to distorted media properties
Solution Approach 1:
The fuser acts as an intermediary device positioned between the inkjet printer and the finisher. It receives partially dried media from the printer, applies heat and pressure to restore media properties, and then delivers corrected media to the finisher, enabling smooth finishing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuser changes the physical parameters of the media by applying controlled heat and pressure, transforming the media from a distorted, flexible state to a restored, stiff state that is suitable for finishing processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple fusers are used to restore media properties, then media stiffness and alignment improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fusing function is divided into multiple segments (first fuser, second fuser, etc.) that can be arranged in sequence. Each fuser applies a portion of the required heat and pressure, allowing the system to restore media properties effectively while distributing the complexity across modular units.
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 system effectively restores the distorted properties of partially dried inkjet media, enabling efficient finishing processes by enhancing drying and realigning fibers, thus preparing the media for subsequent handling and processing.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fusers each comprising a top roller and a bottom roller to apply pressure and heat to the received partially dried inkjet media
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of fusers each comprising a top roller and a bottom roller to apply pressure and heat to the received partially dried inkjet media
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a system for partially dried inkjet media fusers include a plurality of fusers aligned to receive partially dried inkjet media from a printing device, wherein the plurality of fusers each comprise a top roller and a bottom roller to apply pressure to the received partially dried inkjet media, and a finisher to receive the partially dried inkjet media from the plurality of fusers.