Liquid Discharge Apparatus Curl Correction via Asymmetric Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in efficiently reducing curling of paper sheets due to uneven liquid application and drying, leading to back curl and face curl issues, especially during continuous printing and when sheets are left on the ejection tray for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a conveyance path with a first bending portion and an ejection tray with a second bending portion, where the curvature of the first bending portion is greater than the second, combined with a drying device that dries the medium in both paths, ensuring the liquid-applied surface faces inward for effective drying and curl correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drying device is provided in the conveyance path to dry liquid adhering to the medium, then drying efficiency is improved, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying device with the conveyance path structure, integrating the drying function into the existing medium transport system. The drying device is positioned to utilize the natural conveyance path of the medium, merging drying operations with the transport function rather than adding a completely separate drying system.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ejection tray is made to have unevenness to bend the medium, then curling reduction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bending portion with a specific curved shape in the ejection tray. This curved structure naturally guides the medium through a bending path that counteracts curling, utilizing geometric curvature rather than complex mechanical components to achieve the curling reduction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The unevenness or bending portion is localized to specific areas of the ejection tray rather than making the entire tray complex. The curvature is concentrated in the bending portion where it is most effective for correcting medium curl, while other areas of the tray maintain simpler structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the curvature of the first bending portion is made greater than the second bending portion, then back curl correction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric curvature design where the first bending portion in the conveyance path has a greater curvature than the second bending portion in the ejection tray. This asymmetric configuration is specifically optimized to address back curl issues, creating different bending intensities at different stages of medium transport to achieve precise curl 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
This configuration effectively reduces curling by applying a greater correcting force on back curl immediately after printing and a smaller force on face curl over time, maintaining efficient drying and minimizing curling issues throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
The drying device dries the medium conveyed in the conveyance path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a conveyance path, a liquid discharge head, an ejection tray, and a drying device. A medium is conveyed in the conveyance path. The liquid discharge head discharges liquid onto the medium conveyed in the conveyance path. The medium is ejected to the ejection tray. The drying device dries the medium. The conveyance path includes a first bending portion to bend the medium, with a liquid-applied surface of the medium facing inward. The ejection tray includes a second bending portion to bend the medium, with the liquid-applied surface of the medium facing inward. A curvature of the medium bent by the first bending portion is greater than a curvature of the medium bent by the second bending portion. The drying device dries the medium conveyed in the first bending portion.