Inkjet Recording Device Independent UV Curing Guide Rail

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses with ultraviolet light emitting devices and ink heads on the same guide rail limit printing efficiency, as the ink head cannot print while the ultraviolet light is being applied, restricting the timing of ultraviolet light irradiation and preventing various printing operations.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet recording apparatus with an ink head that moves leftward and rightward, featuring a first light emitting device integrated with the ink head and a second light emitting device positioned more frontward, allowing independent control for flexible ink printing and light irradiation, enabling various printing operations by adjusting the timing and position of light application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the ultraviolet light emitting device and the ink head move on the same guide rail, then the structure is simplified, but the printing efficiency deteriorates because the ink head cannot print while ultraviolet light irradiation is being performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidprinting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail system is segmented into a main guide rail for the ink head and a sub-guide rail for the ultraviolet light emitting device. This segmentation allows the two components to move independently on separate rails, enabling simultaneous printing and curing operations without interfering with each other's movement, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and printing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ultraviolet light emitting device is positioned on a sub-guide rail that is disposed in front of and parallel to the main guide rail, creating a spatial separation in the front-rear dimension. This dimensional arrangement allows the ink head to print on the recording medium while the ultraviolet light emitting device simultaneously cures the ink, eliminating the sequential operation constraint and improving printing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the sub-guide rail is disposed in front of and parallel to the guide rail for ultraviolet light emitting device movement, then printing efficiency is improved, but the timing of ultraviolet light irradiation is limited to after recording medium conveyance, reducing adaptability for various printing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidtiming flexibility of ultraviolet light irradiation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing and positioning of ultraviolet light irradiation based on the recording medium's conveyance position. The ultraviolet light emitting device can irradiate ink at multiple stages: during ink discharge, immediately after discharge, or at other appropriate timings, providing flexible adaptability for various printing operations while maintaining high printing efficiency through the separate guide rail configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for efficient and flexible printing operations, including unidirectional and bidirectional printing, with improved surface finish and reduced printing time, by enabling the ink head to discharge ink while the second light emitting device applies ultraviolet light after a predetermined time, ensuring sufficient curing time and varied finish conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an ink head for discharging ink that cures when irradiated with light, and a light emitting device for curing the ink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2295249B1Inkjet recording device
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 ROLAND DG CORP
  • EP2295249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2295249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2295249B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

An inkjet recording apparatus is provided that offers various printing states by appropriately combining ink printing with an ink head and light irradiation by first and second light emitting devices. An inkjet printer has an ink head (102) for discharging ink that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet light, a first ultraviolet lamp (106) disposed to the right of the ink head (102) and configured to move integrally with the ink head (102), and a second ultraviolet lamp (1) disposed more frontward than the ink head (102) and being capable of being turned on independently of the first ultraviolet lamp (106).