Movable Drying Unit for Liquid Discharge Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in efficiently drying liquid ink on recording media, leading to issues such as dot merging and uneven glossiness due to inadequate control over drying temperatures and positions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a far-infrared heater and drying fan that moves to a predetermined position after the liquid discharge operation, allowing for precise control over the drying temperature and position to prevent dot merging and ensure even drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the drying unit uses a fixed heater and fan configuration, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of drying position and temperature control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the heater and fan movable rather than fixed. The heater can move along the conveyance direction to different positions, and the fan can adjust its position and airflow direction. This dynamic configuration allows precise control over the drying position and temperature distribution, resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting multiple parameters of the drying unit including heater position, fan position, airflow direction, and temperature. These parameters can be changed dynamically during the drying process to optimize the drying效果 at different locations on the recording medium, achieving precise control without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.
2Productivity
If the drying unit operates at high temperature to speed up drying, then the drying speed increases, but dot merging occurs and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different drying conditions to different regions of the recording medium. The movable heater and fan can be positioned to apply concentrated heat only where needed, while other areas receive less heat. This allows high drying speed in critical areas while maintaining image quality uniformity across the entire medium by avoiding excessive temperature anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by implementing a multi-stage drying process with alternating high and low temperature periods. The heater and fan operate in cycles, providing intense heat briefly to speed up drying, then reducing temperature to prevent dot merging. This periodic heating pattern achieves both high productivity and maintained image quality.
3Productivity
If the fan blows strong airflow to enhance drying, then the drying efficiency improves, but the glossiness becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing the fan airflow to specific locations rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The movable fan can be positioned to blow air only where liquid ink needs drying, while other areas receive minimal airflow. This localized approach maintains high drying efficiency in critical zones while preserving glossiness uniformity by avoiding excessive airflow in areas where it would create uneven surfaces.
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 solution effectively prevents dot merging, maintains independent dots, and adjusts glossiness by optimizing the drying temperature, resulting in improved image quality and reduced waste.
Implementation Method 1
a far-infrared heater for drying the liquid adhering area by radiating heat
Implementation Method 2
a fan for blowing heat of the heater to the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head, a drying unit, and circuitry. The liquid discharge head performs a liquid discharge operation that includes discharging liquid onto a medium. The drying unit radiates heat to dry the liquid adhering to the medium. The circuitry moves the liquid discharge head. Further, the circuitry changes a drying target position on the medium after the liquid discharge head performs the liquid discharge operation. The drying target position is an area where the heat from the drying unit reaches.