Interdigitated Vacuum Roll System for Cut Sheet Printer Dryer Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems using vacuum belt transport systems suffer from image defects due to differential drying of ink sets, as the sheets of media remain in direct contact with the belt for extended periods, leading to temperature differences and variations in drying rates, which impact image quality.
Innovation Solution
An interdigitated vacuum roller system is introduced, where rollers are spaced variably to distribute vacuum pressure evenly across the media, reducing contact time and minimizing differential drying by using a plenum to spread pressure uniformly, and driven by a single drive system, such as a timing belt or o-ring drive, to facilitate efficient media transport through a dryer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum belt system with holes is used to transport media through the dryer, then the media can be held against the belt during drying, but the media remains in direct contact with a specific region of the belt for the entire transit time, causing differential drying and image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous vacuum belt is segmented into multiple discrete vacuum rollers arranged in an interdigitated pattern. Each roller applies vacuum independently, allowing the media to be held against the rollers while moving through the dryer without prolonged contact with any single belt region, thereby preventing differential drying and image defects
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static vacuum belt to a dynamic arrangement of rotating vacuum rollers. The rollers rotate in sequence, creating a moving vacuum application pattern that reduces prolonged contact between media and any specific belt region, eliminating the differential drying problem while maintaining media hold
2Force
If multiple vacuum belts with holes are used to create drive, then vacuum force can be transferred to the backside of media, but temperature differences in the belt holes lead to variations in drying rates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum application is segmented across multiple discrete rollers rather than concentrated in belt holes. Each roller provides localized vacuum drive force, and the interdigitated arrangement ensures uniform temperature distribution, eliminating the temperature variations that cause differential drying rates
Solution Approach 2:
Each vacuum roller provides localized vacuum application with optimized properties for its specific position in the interdigitated arrangement. This allows tailored vacuum force distribution across different regions of the media, ensuring uniform drying rates while maintaining effective drive
3Ease of operation
If the media transits the dryer at the same speed as the vacuum belt, then transport is simplified, but there is no relative motion between belt and media, causing differential drying
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic motion through rotating vacuum rollers that move through the dryer at a different speed than the media transport. This creates relative motion between the vacuum application points and the media, preventing prolonged contact with any single region and eliminating differential drying while maintaining synchronized transport
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 interdigitated vacuum roller system reduces image defects by ensuring even vacuum distribution and minimizing contact time, resulting in improved image quality and consistent drying across the media.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum is drawn between individual rollers among the assembly of interdigitated rollers so that the vacuum is distributed across a sheet of media
Implementation Method 2
using a plenum to spread pressure uniformly
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum roller system and a method of operation the vacuum roller system can include an assembly of interdigitated rollers, and a vacuum system, wherein the assembly of interdigitated rollers is operably connected to the vacuum system to move sheets of media through a downstream dryer in a printer, wherein a vacuum is drawn between individual rollers among the assembly of interdigitated rollers so that the vacuum is distributed across a sheet of media and is split around the individual rollers. The spacing between the individual rollers among the assembly of interdigitated rollers is variable to vary the vacuum.