Layered Braille Body Inkjet Curing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional braille formation techniques result in a matte layer with low surface smoothness when ink is cured before spreading, leading to a poor tactile sense, and require multiple layers to achieve the necessary height.
Innovation Solution
A layered braille body structure is formed using electromagnetic wave curable or thermosetting ink, where the uppermost layer is a gloss layer with higher surface smoothness and the lower layers are matte layers, with a primer layer for strong adhesion to the base material, allowing for controlled curing and spreading to achieve the desired height and tactile sense.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ink is cured immediately after being ejected to thicken each layer, then the layer thickness is increased, but the surface smoothness deteriorates resulting in a matte layer with poor tactile sense
Solution Approach 1:
The braille body is divided into multiple layers with different surface properties. The lower layers are formed as matte layers with high thickness to provide the necessary height, while the uppermost layer is formed as a gloss layer with high surface smoothness to provide good tactile sense. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the braille body (different layers) are given different surface qualities. The lower layers have a matte finish with high surface roughness, while the uppermost layer has a gloss finish with low surface roughness. This local differentiation of quality allows the braille body to simultaneously achieve the necessary height and smooth tactile sense.
2Productivity
If the number of layers is reduced to minimize processes, then the manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the height control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of layer thickness distribution by forming the lower layers with greater thickness to provide the necessary height, while the uppermost layer is formed with smaller thickness to maintain smoothness. This parameter optimization allows achieving the desired height with fewer layers, improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining height control.
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 solution provides a braille body with the necessary height and smooth tactile sense while maintaining a layered structure, ensuring strong adhesion and preferred shape, and can be easily formed using an inkjet printer.
Implementation Method 1
the ink may be cured before spreading, whereby the layer can be thickened
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of layers are formed with an electromagnetic wave curable ink, a thermosetting ink, or a thermoplastic ink
Data Source
AI summary
When forming a gloss layer, an UV curable ink in a semi-cured state is cured when spread more than when forming matte layers, whereby a surface smoothness of the gloss layer becomes higher than the matte layers, and on the other hand, the matte layers can be formed thick. Therefore, a braille body having the necessary height and the smooth tactual sense while having a layered structure can be formed.