Liquid Discharge Apparatus UV Radiation Control for 3D Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in ensuring adequate curing of photocurable ink on three-dimensional recording media surfaces without causing damage, due to varying radiation distances leading to inconsistent UV radiation intensity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a controller that selects between first and second recording modes based on radiation distance differences, adjusting light source intensities and positions to maintain consistent curing across varying surface areas, thereby preventing insufficient curing and surface damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ultraviolet radiation device radiates ultraviolet rays at identical light emission intensity across the recording medium surface, then the curing is sufficient at closer portions, but the radiation intensity becomes insufficient at farther portions due to distance attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the recording medium surface into multiple regions (first region and second region) with different distance characteristics from the radiation unit. The control unit then adjusts the light emission intensity separately for each region, radiating higher intensity at farther portions and lower intensity at closer portions, thereby achieving uniform totalized light amount across the entire surface.
2Reliability
If the light emission intensity is increased to ensure sufficient curing at farther portions, then the totalized light amount becomes excessive at closer portions, causing surface temperature rise and potential deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by setting different light emission intensities for different regions. The control unit calculates the appropriate intensity for each region based on its distance from the radiation unit, ensuring that closer portions receive lower intensity (preventing overheating) while farther portions receive higher intensity (ensuring sufficient curing).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the light emission intensity parameter according to the spatial position on the recording medium surface. The control unit modifies the radiation parameter (intensity) based on the distance parameter, transforming a uniform radiation approach into a position-dependent radiation approach.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the light emission intensity is decreased to prevent surface damage at closer portions, then the radiation intensity becomes insufficient at farther portions, preventing adequate curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through local quality differentiation, where the control unit assigns different light emission intensities to different spatial regions. Closer portions (second region) receive reduced intensity to prevent damage, while farther portions (first region) receive increased intensity to ensure curing, with the boundary between regions determined by distance thresholds.
4Ease of operation
If a single uniform light emission intensity is used across the entire recording medium surface, then the device operation is simple, but the totalized light amount becomes inconsistent across different portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent balances operational simplicity with curing uniformity by implementing local quality control through automated region classification. The control unit automatically divides the recording medium surface into multiple regions based on distance criteria and applies appropriate intensity settings for each region, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise curing uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light emission intensity adaptive rather than static. The control unit dynamically adjusts the radiation parameters based on real-time distance measurements and region classifications, enabling the system to automatically optimize curing uniformity without complex manual intervention.
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 ensures thorough curing of photocurable ink on three-dimensional surfaces while minimizing damage to the recording medium by optimizing UV radiation distribution, maintaining a predetermined intensity difference across different areas.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation unit which has a plurality of light sources and which is configured to radiate light from the light sources to cure the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a head, a radiation unit, a movement mechanism, and a controller. The controller configured to: select a first recording mode or a second recording mode; control the head, the radiation unit, and the movement mechanism to execute a first image recording process when that the first recording mode is selected; and control the head, the radiation unit, and the movement mechanism to execute a second image recording process when the second recording mode is selected. The second image recording process includes radiating the light in a state in which a mutual positional relationship among the plurality of light sources or a mutual light emission intensity relationship among the plurality of light sources is different from that in the first image recording process, so that a difference between a first maximum radiation intensity and a second maximum radiation intensity is not more than a predetermined value.