Inkjet Roller Drying Mechanism for Curl Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently drying ink on sheets, leading to sheet curling and potential jams, as existing drying methods are inefficient and may require extensive hardware, such as blowers and partition walls, which are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a heat source embedded in a dryer roller that heats the sheet during conveyance, controlled by a system that calculates ink ejection amounts and activates the heat source only when necessary, ensuring optimal drying and minimizing sheet curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a plurality of blowers and partition walls are used for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying function into the existing conveyance roller system by embedding a heat source within the roller itself. This eliminates the need for separate blowers and partition walls, reducing device complexity while maintaining drying efficiency through direct thermal contact with the sheet during conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance roller is given multiple functions: it both transports the sheet through the recording apparatus and simultaneously dries the ink through embedded heating elements. This multi-functionality removes the need for dedicated drying hardware, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Productivity
If a plurality of blowers and partition walls are used for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance roller performs the drying function as part of its normal operation, using its own embedded heat source without requiring external blower systems. This self-service approach reduces operational costs by eliminating the need for high-energy blower operations while maintaining effective drying.
3Reliability
If heat source is activated continuously, then drying is effective, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source within the conveyance roller is activated dynamically based on the actual drying needs of the ink, rather than operating continuously. The system adjusts heating activation to match the specific requirements of each printing job, maintaining drying effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by activating the heat source only when and where needed, rather than maintaining continuous operation. This parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between drying effectiveness and energy consumption based on real-time conditions.
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 solution effectively accelerates ink drying, reduces sheet curling, and prevents jams by using a controlled heating mechanism that adapts to varying ink ejection amounts, thereby simplifying the apparatus design and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat source heats the first roller. When temperature of the first roller is equal to or higher than a specific temperature, the controller activates the image forming section to form the image on the sheet.
Implementation Method 2
The first roller conveys the sheet. The heat source heats the sheet during conveyance, transferring thermal energy through the moving sheet.
Implementation Method 3
This solution effectively accelerates ink drying, reduces sheet curling, and prevents jams by using a controlled heating mechanism that adapts to varying ink ejection amounts.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes an image forming section, a roller, a heat source, a calculator, a determination section, and a controller. The determination section determines to activate the heat source when an ink ejection amount calculated by the calculator is larger than a specific reference amount. When the determination section determines to activate the heat source, the controller activates the heat source. When temperature of the roller is equal to or higher than a specific temperature, the controller controls the image forming section to form the image on the sheet.