Inkjet Sheet Conveyor Exposure for Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in drying ink on sheets, leading to image distortion when the inked surface contacts guides immediately after printing, resulting in deteriorated image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a housing, sheet conveyor, and circuitry to expose the inked sheet to the outside of the housing, allowing for effective drying by evaporation of moisture, with control systems determining the need for exposure based on the amount of ink applied, and optional features like air blowing fans or rotatable covers to enhance drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet is conveyed directly to the sheet stacker or post-processing apparatus immediately after printing, then productivity is improved, but the ink on the sheet surface is distorted resulting in deteriorated image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveyance path is segmented into multiple stages: a first conveyance section that moves the sheet to an exposure position, a second conveyance section that transfers the sheet to the sheet stacker or post-processing apparatus, and an intermediate exposure position where the sheet surface is exposed to external air for drying. This segmentation allows the sheet to be conveyed quickly while also providing a dedicated drying zone to prevent ink distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate exposure position as a mediator between the printing section and the final destination (sheet stacker or post-processing apparatus). At this intermediate position, the sheet surface is exposed to external air, allowing moisture to evaporate and preventing ink distortion before the sheet reaches its final destination. This intermediary zone resolves the contradiction by enabling both quick conveyance and effective drying.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sheet surface is exposed to external air for drying, then image quality is improved by preventing ink distortion, but the conveyance process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The exposure position is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both as a conveyance transfer point (where the sheet moves from the first conveyance section to the second) and as a drying zone (where the sheet surface is exposed to external air). This universal design allows the same structural element to perform multiple functions, reducing overall device complexity while achieving effective drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet conveyance system utilizes the natural evaporation process of moisture from the sheet surface when exposed to external air. The system does not require additional active drying mechanisms (such as heaters or airflow generators) but rather leverages the self-service drying capability of the environment, simplifying the conveyance system while maintaining image quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sheet is exposed to external air for drying, then moisture evaporation is enhanced, but the time required for drying increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary conveyance of the sheet to the exposure position before the drying process begins. By quickly moving the sheet to the exposure position and utilizing the natural evaporation process during the conveyance and exposure phases, the system minimizes the overall time required while ensuring effective drying. The preliminary action of rapid conveyance sets up the conditions for efficient subsequent drying.
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 ensures effective drying of ink on sheets, preventing image distortion and improving image quality by allowing moisture to evaporate freely, while also enhancing productivity by optimizing sheet conveyance and drying times.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for effective drying by evaporation of moisture
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a sheet conveyor, a sheet stacker, and circuitry. The sheet conveyor is configured to convey a sheet on which liquid is applied. The sheet stacker is configured to stack the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyor. The circuitry is configured to control conveyance of the sheet. The circuitry is configured to cause the sheet conveyor to expose the sheet on which the liquid is applied, to an outside of the housing, and convey the sheet to the sheet stacker.