Liquid Discharge Apparatus Intermittent Conveyance Drying Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink drying technologies face challenges with uneven drying rates and temperature control issues, particularly with electromagnetic wave drying methods, which can cause cockling and drying unevenness on recording media due to varying irradiation amounts during intermittent conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a conveyor and an irradiation device that intermittently conveys a recording medium, discharges ink, and controls electromagnetic wave irradiation, setting a higher irradiation amount during conveyance stops than during movement to ensure uniform drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If infrared drying is used to achieve high drying rate, then drying speed is improved, but recording medium temperature control becomes difficult causing cockling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by intermittently conveying the recording medium through the irradiation device, repeating cycles of conveyance and stop. During the stop period, electromagnetic wave irradiation is applied for drying, while during conveyance, irradiation is reduced or stopped. This periodic pattern enables controlled drying without excessive heat accumulation that would cause cockling, while still achieving high drying rates during the irradiation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the irradiation amount variable based on the conveyance state. The irradiation device dynamically adjusts its output: providing high irradiation intensity when the recording medium is stationary, and reducing or stopping irradiation when the medium is moving. This dynamic control allows the system to achieve both high drying efficiency and temperature control, preventing cockling while maintaining fast drying rates.
2Productivity
If electromagnetic wave irradiation is applied continuously to dry ink, then drying rate is improved, but drying unevenness occurs due to intermittent conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by synchronizing electromagnetic wave irradiation with the intermittent conveyance cycles. Irradiation is applied during the stop periods when the recording medium is stationary, and stopped or reduced during conveyance periods. This periodic synchronization ensures that all areas of the recording medium receive uniform drying treatment over time, eliminating drying unevenness while maintaining high overall drying rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the conveyance state and adjusting the irradiation amount accordingly. The control device receives information about whether the recording medium is moving or stationary, and automatically adjusts the irradiation output to provide higher intensity during stops and lower or zero intensity during movement. This feedback mechanism ensures uniform drying across the entire recording medium while achieving high drying rates.
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 prevents drying unevenness and cockling by synchronizing the irradiation with the conveyance pattern, improving the quality and productivity of the printing process while maintaining energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the irradiation device irradiates, with an electromagnetic wave, the recording medium onto which the liquid has been discharged by the liquid discharge head
Implementation Method 2
infrared (IR: Infrared) which is one type of electromagnetic wave is used for drying ink, infrared rays pass through the inside of the coating film even if a coating film is formed on the surface of the ink. The infrared ray which has permeated the inside of the coating film is resonantly absorbed by the ink, as electromagnetic wave energy, and vibrates a molecule or an atom in the ink to generate frictional heat
Implementation Method 3
a conveyor, configured to repeat conveyance of a recording medium by a predetermined distance and stop of conveyance of the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a conveyor to repeat conveyance of a recording medium by a predetermined distance and stop of conveyance of the recording medium; a liquid discharge head to discharge a liquid onto the recording medium; an irradiation device disposed downstream from the liquid discharge head in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium, to irradiate, with an electromagnetic wave, the recording medium onto which the liquid has been discharged by the liquid discharge head; and circuitry configured to control the irradiation device to irradiate the recording medium. The circuitry is configured to set a first irradiation amount during the stop of conveyance to a larger value than a value of a second irradiation amount during the conveyance of the recording medium.