Inkjet printer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional inkjet printers face challenges in maintaining the planarity of the transfer surface and holding print substrates with low tensile strength when wet, leading to deformations and uneven printing due to uneven suction forces.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet printer employs a differentiated suction system along the feed direction, with lower suction at the printing station and higher suction upstream, and an adjustment mechanism to maintain planarity using a breathable micro-perforated belt and guide screws to prevent bending, ensuring even printing without substrate deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high suction force is applied to hold the print substrate in place, then the substrate adherence is improved, but the substrate structure is damaged causing permanent deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is differentiated along the feed direction, with higher suction applied upstream from the printing station and lower suction applied at the printing station. This local differentiation allows strong substrate holding where needed while protecting the substrate structure during the sensitive printing phase.
2Device complexity
If uniform suction is applied across the entire transfer surface, then the substrate holding is simplified, but the transfer surface planarity is compromised causing uneven printing
Solution Approach 1:
Differentiated suction forces are applied at different locations along the feed direction, with higher suction upstream and lower suction at the printing station. This local variation in suction intensity prevents excessive bending of the transfer surface while maintaining effective substrate holding.
3Ease of operation
If the transfer surface is made flexible to enable sliding motion, then the conveyor functionality is improved, but the surface planarity is reduced under suction force
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force parameter is varied along the feed direction, with higher suction applied upstream and lower suction at the printing station. This parameter change compensates for the flexibility of the transfer surface, preventing excessive bending while maintaining conveyor functionality.
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 solution effectively holds print substrates in place without causing deformations and maintains optimal planarity, enhancing print quality and efficiency by adjusting suction forces and surface alignment dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
suction means arranged below the transfer surface to maintain the print substrate adhering to and stationary with respect to the transfer surface during sliding
Implementation Method 2
breathable micro-perforated belt
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Inkjet printer (1) operable to print a print substrate made of textile, paper or plastic material, or the like, and provided with a sliding transfer surface (10) to feed the print substrate (2) in a feed direction (9); a printing device (17) arranged above the transfer surface (10) to define, on the transfer surface (10), a printing station (19); suction means (20) arranged below the transfer surface (10) to maintain the print substrate adhering to and stationary with respect to the transfer surface (10) during sliding; and an adjustment assembly to adjust planarity of the transfer surface (10).