Inkjet Printing Apparatus Vertical Conveying Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing apparatuses face issues with image quality due to strong contact pressure between printed media and rollers during the transition from horizontal to vertical conveying, leading to ink transfer and quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus changes the conveying direction of the print medium from horizontal to a 45° angle before ink application, reducing contact pressure by maintaining a vertical posture, and utilizing a circulation type ink supply system to manage ink pressure and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the print medium is conveyed horizontally and then changed to vertical direction by roller pairs after printing, then the printing process can be completed, but strong contact pressure is generated between the printed side and roller pairs which decreases image quality and causes ink transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by changing the conveying direction to vertical before the print head applies ink, rather than changing direction after printing. This preliminary reorientation of the print medium ensures that the printed side does not come into contact with rollers during the ink application and immediate drying phase, preventing ink transfer and maintaining image quality while still enabling complete printing operation
2Ease of operation
If roller pairs are used to change conveying direction from horizontal to vertical, then the print medium can be conveyed upward, but ink adheres to the rollers and transfers to non-printed areas or subsequent print media which decreases image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the direction change operation before ink application, so that when the print medium passes through the roller pairs for vertical conveying, the ink has already been applied and is in the process of drying. This timing arrangement prevents fresh ink from adhering to the rollers and transferring to non-printed areas or subsequent print media, eliminating the harmful ink transfer effect while maintaining ease of vertical conveying operation
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus (1) capable of stably outputting high quality images in a configuration of feeding a print medium (S) that is kept horizontal, performing printing by the use of a print head (8), and conveying the print medium (S) vertically upward. To this purpose, a platen (9) that supports the back side of the print medium (S) in a position facing a printing part of the print head (8) is located to support the print medium (S) at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the horizontal direction, thereby reducing a contact pressure from roller pairs (7, 7b) on the printed side immediately after printing.