Medium Support Unit Thermal Insulation for Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In printing apparatuses where a medium is supported on a medium support unit and moved relative to a printing portion, the overall medium support unit's increased temperature can lead to reduced operation efficiency due to the configuration of the heating unit.
Innovation Solution
A medium support unit with a support portion that is heated, where the heat conductivity of the mounting portion on the main body portion is lower than that of the support portion, allowing for efficient heating of the support surface while minimizing temperature increase in the main body portion, which can be achieved by using different materials or a hollow portion for insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating portion heats the support portion to dry ink efficiently, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the overall temperature of the medium support unit increases reducing operation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion is designed with different thermal properties (lower heat conductivity) compared to the support portion, creating local quality differentiation. This allows the support portion to be heated efficiently for drying ink while the mounting portion remains relatively cool, enabling operators to safely handle the mounting portion during operation.
2Reliability
If the heating portion heats the support portion to improve drying performance, then the drying performance is improved, but the temperature of the main body portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The medium support unit is segmented into distinct functional portions: the support portion for heating and drying, and the mounting portion for handling. The mounting portion is specifically designed with lower heat conductivity material to thermally isolate it from the heated support portion, maintaining lower temperature in the main body while achieving effective drying performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the support portion is made of highly heat conductive material to improve heating efficiency, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the heat transfers to the main body portion reducing operation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the medium support unit have different thermal conductivities tailored to their specific functions. The support portion uses highly heat conductive material for efficient heating, while the mounting portion uses low heat conductivity material to prevent heat transfer to the main body, allowing both heating efficiency and operational safety to be maintained.
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 improves operation efficiency by allowing the support portion to be heated effectively while keeping the main body portion at a lower temperature, enhancing contact operations with the medium support unit.
Implementation Method 1
heat conductivity of a mounting portion as a portion of a main body portion on which the support portion is mounted is lower than heat conductivity of the support portion
Data Source
AI summary
A medium support unit for supporting a medium on which a printing apparatus performs printing includes a support portion having a support surface for supporting the medium, a heating portion heating the support portion, and a main body portion on which the support portion is mounted, wherein heat conductivity of a mounting portion as a portion of the main body portion on which the support portion is mounted is lower than heat conductivity of the support portion.