Inkjet Recording Apparatus Ribbed Transport Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with medium warp and transport instability due to ink drying, leading to potential jamming, skew, and image defects, as existing solutions either fail to adequately support the medium or cause damage during warp correction.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a dual belt transporting system with a transport guiding unit featuring ribs that gradually decrease in height to support and stabilize the recording medium, effectively managing both downward and upward warps without damaging the printed surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the interval between transport paths is decreased to suppress warp of the recording medium, then the stability of transportation is improved, but wet ink adheres to the transport guide or is retransferred to the recording medium causing offset
Solution Approach 1:
The transport guiding unit is divided into multiple ribs extending in the transport direction, with each rib providing localized support to the recording medium. This segmentation allows the medium to be supported at multiple points along its length, stabilizing transportation while maintaining sufficient interval to prevent ink adhesion issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are positioned to provide localized support specifically where the recording medium needs stabilization during transport. The support is concentrated at specific locations rather than continuous contact, which prevents wet ink adhesion to the transport guide while still suppressing warp of the medium.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outer diameter of the discharge spur roller on the recording surface side is made larger than the discharge roller on the back side to suppress warp, then the stability of transportation is improved, but the recording medium cannot enter the nip when warp exceeds the supposed range, causing jam or skew
Solution Approach 1:
The transport guiding unit with multiple ribs provides dynamic support that adapts to varying degrees of warp in the recording medium. Unlike a fixed roller system with predetermined geometry, the rib structure can accommodate different warp magnitudes by providing distributed support points, allowing the medium to naturally return to a flat state without forcing it through a fixed-nip geometry that could cause jamming.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a paper sheet pressing member is disposed to press width direction end portions of the paper sheet to suppress warp, then the stability of transportation is improved, but the image recorded on the recording surface may be rubbed and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs act as an intermediary support structure between the recording medium and the transport path. Instead of directly pressing the recording surface with a pressing member (which would rub and damage the image), the ribs provide support from the opposite surface, stabilizing the medium during transport without contacting the recorded image surface.
4Stability of the object's composition
If guiding curved members are used to guide the recording medium to the discharge tray with width direction end portions higher than the center portion, then downward warp is suppressed, but upward warp cannot be suppressed and the medium is not stably supported
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure provides symmetric support in the width direction, with ribs distributed across the transport path. This symmetric arrangement allows the support mechanism to effectively handle both upward and downward warp conditions, unlike asymmetric guiding curved members that only address downward warp. The symmetric rib configuration adapts to whichever direction the medium warps, providing stable support in both cases.
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 ensures stable transportation and prevents image defects by securely supporting the medium during warp correction, reducing the risk of jamming and skew while maintaining the integrity of the printed surface.
Implementation Method 1
a first transporting belt configured to transport a recording medium by absorbing and supporting the same
Implementation Method 2
a second transporting belt configured to transport the recording medium by absorbing and supporting the same
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a first belt transporting unit for transporting a recording medium by absorbing and supporting, a recording unit disposed to face the first belt transporting unit to eject ink to the recording medium, a second belt transporting unit disposed adjacent to the first belt transporting unit on a downstream side in a transport direction to transport the recording medium by absorbing and supporting, and a transport guiding unit disposed to face a transporting surface of the second transporting unit. A surface of the transport guiding unit facing the second transporting unit is provided with a plurality of ribs extending in the transport direction. Protruding heights of the ribs with respect to the transporting surface of the second transporting unit are gradually decreased from an outermost rib to an innermost rib in a width direction of the recording medium.