Inkjet Recording Conveyance Path Switching for Fire-Safe Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink wetting and spreading on recording media due to temperature deviations, leading to compromised image quality, and conveyance mechanisms pose fire risks when heating is applied, especially in printing modes requiring multiple passes through a heated path.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a switching mechanism that allows the conveyance path to bypass the heating section during certain printing modes, controlled by a hardware processor to prevent overheating and ensure safe conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the recording medium is conveyed through the heating section to maintain temperature control for ink quality, then the temperature uniformity is improved, but the fire risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance path is made dynamically switchable between two configurations: a first path that bypasses the heating section and a second path that passes through it. The switching section enables the system to adapt the conveyance route based on operational requirements, allowing temperature control when needed while avoiding fire risks when heating is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is applied locally and selectively rather than continuously. The heating section heats the conveyance mechanism only when the recording medium needs temperature control for ink quality, while the switching section directs the medium through appropriate paths to avoid unnecessary heating and associated fire risks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyance path passes between the conveyance mechanism and heating section for additional white printing, then the printing functionality is improved, but the fire risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching section enables dynamic selection of conveyance paths based on the printing mode. For additional white printing requiring multiple passes, the system can switch to the second path that passes between the conveyance mechanism and heating section, while temporarily controlling the heating section to avoid fire risks during uncured ink conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary control of the heating section before the recording medium passes through the heated path. When additional white printing is detected, the heating section is controlled to prevent fire risks before the uncured ink-containing medium enters the heating zone, allowing safe multi-pass conveyance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the recording medium is conveyed without passing through the heating section, then the fire risk is reduced, but the temperature control for ink quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the conveyance path based on operational requirements. When temperature control is needed for ink quality, the switching section directs the medium through the second path that passes between the conveyance mechanism and heating section, ensuring proper temperature uniformity while maintaining fire safety through controlled heating.
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
Enables safe conveyance of recording media without fire risks while maintaining ink quality and image uniformity across various printing modes, including additional white printing and image reading.
Implementation Method 1
a heating section that heats an outer circumferential surface of the conveyance mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a switching section that switches a conveyance path of the recording medium between a first conveyance path that does not pass between the conveyance mechanism and the heating section and a second conveyance path that passes between the conveyance mechanism and the heating section
Implementation Method 3
the hardware processor stops heating by the heating section when causing the switching section to select the second conveyance path
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus including an image forming section, a cylindrical conveyance mechanism, a heating section, a switching section, and a hardware processor. The image forming section forms an image by discharging ink onto a recording medium. The cylindrical conveyance mechanism conveys the recording medium. The heating section heats an outer circumferential surface of the conveyance mechanism. The switching section switches a conveyance path of the recording medium between a first conveyance path that does not pass between the conveyance mechanism and the heating section and a second conveyance path that passes between the conveyance mechanism and the heating section. The hardware processor controls switching of the conveyance path by the switching section in accordance with a printing mode. When causing the switching section to select the second conveyance path, the hardware processor stops heating by the heating section.