Inkjet Transfer Surface Planarity With Differentiated Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional inkjet printers face challenges in maintaining the planarity of the transfer surface and holding substrates with low tensile strength when wet, leading to deformations and uneven printing due to uneven suction forces.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet printer employs a differentiated suction system along the feed direction, with lower suction at the printing station and higher suction upstream, and an adjustment mechanism to maintain planarity, using a breathable micro-perforated belt and adjustable guide screws to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strong and uniform suction force is applied to the print substrate throughout the printer, then the substrate is held stationary and adhering to the transfer surface, but the substrate structure is affected causing permanent depressions or ridges especially when the substrate has low tensile strength when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is differentiated along the feed direction with higher suction upstream from the printing station and lower suction at the printing station. This local variation in suction intensity allows strong adherence upstream while preventing deformation at the printing station where the substrate is more vulnerable when wet with ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer surface is divided into multiple suction zones along the feed direction, each with independently controllable suction intensity. This segmentation allows different suction forces to be applied to different sections of the substrate during its passage through the printer.
2Reliability
If high suction force is applied upstream from the printing station, then the substrate is held firmly in place, but the transfer surface bends downwards causing unevenness on the substrate surface
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweights are positioned on the support sheet structure to compensate for the downward bending force caused by suction. The counterweights create an opposing upward force that balances the suction-induced deformation, maintaining the transfer surface planarity even when high suction force is applied upstream.
3Ease of operation
If the transfer surface consists of a flexible belt that slides on a perforated support sheet, then the belt can move smoothly, but the suction causes the belt to bend downwards and create surface unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweights are integrated into the support sheet structure to offset the downward bending force exerted by suction on the flexible belt. This maintains the belt's ability to slide smoothly while preventing suction-induced deformation of the transfer surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer surface uses a flexible belt that can conform to the substrate while maintaining smooth operation. The flexibility allows the belt to adapt to substrate contours while the counterweight system prevents excessive bending under suction force.
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 approach ensures stable substrate adherence without deformation and maintains optimal print quality by adjusting suction forces and surface planarity, enhancing printing efficiency and reducing defects.
Implementation Method 1
suction means arranged below the transfer surface to maintain the print substrate adhering to and stationary with respect to the transfer surface during sliding
Data Source
AI summary
Inkjet printer (1) operable to print a print substrate made of textile, paper or plastic material, or the like, and provided with a sliding transfer surface (10) to feed the print substrate (2) in a feed direction (9); a printing device (17) arranged above the transfer surface (10) to define, on the transfer surface (10), a printing station (19); suction means (20) arranged below the transfer surface (10) to maintain the print substrate adhering to and stationary with respect to the transfer surface (10) during sliding; and an adjustment assembly to adjust planarity of the transfer surface (10).