Inkjet Printing Apparatus Transfer Member Contact Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printing apparatuses face issues with maintaining proper contact and separation sequences of constituent elements with respect to the transfer member during start and stop of printing operations, leading to suboptimal image formation and potential damage due to dust, foreign substances, and uneven preprocessing liquid application.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet printing apparatus ensures proper contact and separation sequences by having a cleaning unit contact the transfer member before the application unit, and the application unit applies a reactive liquid to the transfer member before the absorbing unit, ensuring uniform preprocessing and preventing damage during the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the cleaning unit contacts the transfer member after the application unit, then the preprocessing liquid can be applied to the transfer member, but dust and foreign substances are trapped in the preprocessing unit and application becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit performs cleaning action before the application unit applies the preprocessing liquid. This preliminary cleaning removes dust and foreign substances from the transfer member surface, ensuring that subsequent preprocessing liquid application is uniform and not contaminated by particles that would cause uneven coating.
2Reliability
If the liquid collection unit contacts the transfer member before the preprocessing liquid is applied, then the transfer member is cleaned, but damage occurs due to friction between dry surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The application unit applies the preprocessing liquid to the transfer member before the liquid collection unit contacts it. This preliminary lubrication of the transfer member surface prevents direct friction between dry surfaces, eliminating the risk of damage while maintaining operational simplicity through proper sequencing.
3Manufacturing precision
If the preprocessing liquid is not applied to the transfer member, then the liquid collection unit can contact the transfer member without friction damage, but image formation quality deteriorates due to lack of reaction with ink
Solution Approach 1:
The application unit applies the preprocessing liquid to the transfer member before the liquid collection unit contacts it. This ensures the transfer member surface is properly prepared for high-quality image formation through chemical reaction with ink, while the preliminary liquid application prevents friction damage by providing lubrication.
4Manufacturing precision
If the cleaning unit contacts the transfer member in a dry condition, then the transfer member is cleaned, but friction damage occurs between the cleaning unit and transfer member
Solution Approach 1:
The application unit applies the preprocessing liquid to the transfer member before the cleaning unit contacts it. This preliminary action of wetting the surface allows the cleaning unit to perform effective cleaning without causing friction damage, as the liquid acts as a lubricant during the cleaning process.
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 enables higher-quality image printing by maintaining the integrity of the transfer member and ensuring uniform preprocessing liquid application, reducing the risk of damage and improving printing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
damage to one of the transfer member and the liquid collection unit is likely to be caused due to friction between them
Implementation Method 2
a reaction between the preprocessing liquid and ink discharged from a printhead to the transfer member does not occur
Implementation Method 3
an absorbing unit configured to absorb a liquid component from the reactive liquid applied by the application unit to the transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention brings, out of a cleaning unit that cleans a transfer member in contact with a transfer member and an application unit that applies a reactive liquid with ink to the transfer member, the cleaning unit into contact with the transfer member to clean the transfer member by the cleaning unit at the start of the printing operation. Alternatively, out of the application unit and an absorbing unit that absorbs a liquid component from the reactive liquid applied by the application unit in contact with the transfer member, the printing apparatus brings the application unit into contact with the transfer member to apply the reactive liquid by the application unit.