Inkjet Recorder Paper Flutter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in minimizing paper fluttering and ink mist collector-induced vibrations, especially when printing on wide sheets of paper, and in maintaining high precision printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features ink jet heads fixed to a head substrate that can rock around a fulcrum, with ink mist collectors positioned to minimize airflow impact, and a dual printing unit configuration that allows paper to travel sequentially on both sides, ensuring efficient ink mist collection and reduced paper fluttering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the distance between guide rollers is increased to accommodate wide paper printing, then the printing width capability is improved, but paper fluttering increases due to the longer unsupported travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate guide roller is introduced between the head guide roller and the tail guide roller to act as a mediator that provides additional support for the paper during its travel. This intermediate support point divides the long unsupported distance into shorter segments, reducing paper fluttering while maintaining the capability to print on wide paper sheets.
2Productivity
If an ink mist collector is positioned close to the ink jet heads for effective mist collection, then ink mist collection efficiency is improved, but paper vibrations increase due to airflow impact on the paper
Solution Approach 1:
A partition wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the ink jet heads and the ink mist collector. This partition wall allows the ink mist collector to be positioned closer to the ink jet heads for improved mist collection efficiency, while simultaneously blocking the direct path of the suction airflow to the paper, thereby reducing paper vibrations caused by the airflow.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple ink jet heads are arranged in a line to increase printing width, then the printing width capability is improved, but the complexity of maintaining constant gap and preventing fluttering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is segmented into multiple independent ink jet heads (first, second, third, and fourth ink jet heads) arranged in a line, each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows each head to maintain its own constant gap with the paper separately, simplifying the overall control of gap maintenance and fluttering prevention across the wide printing width.
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 configuration significantly reduces paper fluttering, enables high-precision printing, and facilitates easy maintenance while allowing for simultaneous printing on both sides of the paper, improving overall printing quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an air stream for suction recovery of the ink mist by the ink mist collector
Implementation Method 2
head substrate that can rock around a fulcrum
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an inkjet recorder which ensures good print quality by minimizing flapping of a sheet which travels in parallel with the nozzle width region of an ink jet head while facing the nozzle width region. An inkjet recorder is equipped with an inkjet print section (4) having print units (7, 7') for printing on a sheet (2) traveling on an arcuate sheet passage formed of a plurality of guide rollers (12a-12h) by means of a plurality of inkjet heads (6a-6d, 6a'-6d'), wherein an on-demand inkjet head equipped with a plurality of nozzle arrays in the traveling direction of sheet as a nozzle width region is used as the inkjet head of the print unit, the sheet passage opposite to the nozzle surface of each inkjet head is constituted of two guide rollers (12a, 12b) disposed on the upstream side and downstream side in the traveling direction of sheet, and the end portions of a sheet in the nozzle width region (L) of each inkjet head on the upstream side and downstream side in the traveling direction of sheet are located as closely as possible to each contact point between the guide rollers on the upstream side and downstream side on the inside of each contact point where the sheet touches the guide rollers, respectively, and being wound therearound.