Inkjet Primer Transfer Using a Nip to Protect Transport Belts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in applying primers to different widths of media without affecting the media transport belt, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to the belt or media.
Innovation Solution
A color inkjet printer with a primer applicator system using a printhead and a transfer member, synchronized with a nip roller, applies primer to media sheets without using the media transport belt, ensuring efficient primer application across varying media widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a roller is used to apply primer to media, then the structure is simple, but the primer is applied to the entire media transport path including the vacuum belt, causing damage to the belt or reverse side of media
Solution Approach 1:
The primer application system is segmented into multiple independent printhead modules, each responsible for specific regions. This allows selective primer application only where needed, preventing primer from being applied to the vacuum belt or reverse side of media, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the media transport path have different primer application characteristics. The printhead modules are positioned and controlled to apply primer locally only to the front surface of media in the printing region, while the vacuum belt and reverse sides remain free of primer, achieving local quality control
2Ease of manufacture
If a printhead is used to apply primer, then only the required areas are coated, but the system complexity increases and media width flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead modules are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as inkjet printing heads and as primer application heads. This universal design allows the same hardware to perform multiple functions (inkjet printing and primer application) without requiring separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the efficiency benefits of selective coating
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of printhead modules through the controller, which can selectively activate different printhead modules based on media width and position. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt to varying media widths and application requirements, providing flexibility without permanent structural complexity
3Productivity
If primer is applied to the vacuum belt, then the belt can transfer primer to media, but the primer accumulates on the belt causing damage to the belt surface or reverse side of media
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of primer accumulation on the vacuum belt is extracted and eliminated by removing the vacuum belt from the primer application path. The primer is applied directly to the media front surface using positioned printhead modules, completely separating the primer application function from the vacuum belt function, thus preventing primer accumulation and associated damage
Solution Approach 2:
The media itself serves as the intermediary carrier for the primer. Instead of the vacuum belt acting as the intermediary (which causes contamination), the media front surface directly receives and carries the primer to the printing region, eliminating the harmful intermediary while maintaining the necessary primer transfer function
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 effective primer application on media sheets of varying widths without damaging the transport belt, improving print quality and efficiency by preventing primer accumulation on the belt.
Implementation Method 1
Each inkjet has a thermal or piezoelectric actuator that is coupled to a printhead controller
Implementation Method 2
Each inkjet has a thermal or piezoelectric actuator that is coupled to a printhead controller
Implementation Method 3
a nip roller configured to form a nip with the transfer member; and a controller operatively connected to the at least one printhead and the first actuator. The controller is configured to: operate the at least one printhead to form primer images on the transfer member; and operate the first actuator to rotate the transfer member to transfer primer images from the transfer member onto media passing through the nip
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer includes at least one printhead and a transfer member to apply primer onto media before the media is printed. The at least one printhead ejects drops of primer onto the transfer member and the transfer member forms a nip with a nip roller. Entry of media into the nip and entry of the primer image on the transfer member are synchronized to enable the primer image to be transferred to the media in the nip.