Inkjet Image Forming Apparatus Transfer Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high transfer efficiency while reducing ink adhesion and cost, particularly due to issues with ink viscosity and transfer efficiency variations, leading to inconsistencies in image quality and increased residual ink.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet image forming apparatus that includes a transfer part and a hardware processor to detect transfer rates and control parameters influencing ink spreading, using UV irradiation to adjust ink viscosity and transfer pressure, optimizing the viscosity and dot state of ink for improved transfer efficiency without increasing costs by adjusting UV light output and transfer pressure based on measured density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the amount of ink ejected from inkjet heads is reduced to reduce cost, then the amount of ink adhering to recording medium is reduced, but the contrast ratio decreases in solid image printing causing inconsistencies in solidness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a transferability improvement liquid to the intermediate transfer body before ink ejection. This preliminary action prepares the transfer surface to enhance ink transfer efficiency, allowing reduced ink ejection while maintaining solidness consistency and contrast ratio in the final printed image.
2Manufacturing precision
If spherical droplets ejected from inkjet heads are flattened (spread) on the recording medium to eliminate contrast ratio decrease, then the decrease in contrast ratio is eliminated, but ink bleed occurs on the recording medium depending on ink viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate transfer body as a mediator between the inkjet head and recording medium. The ink is first ejected onto the intermediate transfer body, then transferred to the recording medium. This intermediary approach allows controlled spreading of ink droplets to maintain contrast ratio while preventing direct ink bleed on the recording medium through the transfer process.
3Productivity
If transferability improvement liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body to adjust transfer state, then transfer efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts physical parameters such as transfer pressure and temperature conditions during the transfer process to optimize transfer efficiency. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves high transfer efficiency without requiring additional transferability improvement liquids, thereby avoiding increased costs while maintaining productivity.
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
The apparatus achieves high transfer efficiency and maintains image quality by optimizing ink viscosity and transfer pressure, reducing residual ink and cost, without the need for additional transferability improvement liquids.
Implementation Method 1
irradiates the intermediate transfer body with active energy rays such as UV to perform an ink pre-curing (thickening) process
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet image forming apparatus, includes: a transfer part that transfers ink ejected from an inkjet head and carried on an intermediate transfer body to a recording medium; and a hardware processor that: detects a transfer rate when the ink is transferred by the transfer part; and controls a control parameter that influences how the ink spreads when being transferred to the recording medium, according to the transfer rate detected by the hardware processor.