Multi-Laser Drying Device for Uniform Ink Evaporation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying devices for ink-jet recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving uniform drying of ink droplets due to intensity distribution variations in laser beams, leading to non-uniform drying and potential degradation of laser elements.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple laser elements with controllable intensity, arranged to overlap their laser beams in the paper width direction, allowing for precise control of cumulative energy distribution to ensure uniform drying by adjusting the irradiation intensity and timing based on image information and paper speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single laser element is used for drying, then the device structure is simple, but uniform drying of ink droplets cannot be achieved due to intensity distribution variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single laser element into multiple segments (first and second laser elements) arranged side by side. Each segment independently irradiates a portion of the image formation region, allowing separate intensity control to compensate for distribution variations and achieve uniform drying across the entire region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different irradiation intensities to different regions by controlling each laser element's output based on its position and the local ink droplet density. The controller adjusts intensity locally to match the drying requirements of each area, ensuring uniform drying despite variations in laser intensity distribution.
2Productivity
If laser beam intensity is increased to improve drying speed, then productivity increases, but laser element degradation accelerates reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the irradiation intensity parameter dynamically by controlling each laser element's output based on local requirements. This allows using higher intensity only where needed (improving drying speed) while maintaining lower intensity in other areas (reducing degradation), thus optimizing the balance between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by directing laser beams only to regions requiring drying (image formation regions with ink droplets) rather than uniformly irradiating the entire paper surface. This concentrates energy where needed for efficient drying while minimizing unnecessary irradiation that would cause degradation.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple laser elements are used with overlapping beams to achieve uniform drying, then drying uniformity improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple laser elements to work cooperatively on the same image formation region. The overlapping beams from different elements combine to provide uniform intensity distribution, achieving better drying uniformity while sharing the load to manage overall system complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple laser elements with overlapping beams are used, then drying uniformity improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the intensity parameter of each laser element based on local drying requirements and overlapping patterns. This optimization ensures that the sum of power consumption across all elements remains efficient while achieving uniform drying through coordinated intensity 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 approach effectively suppresses non-uniform drying and reduces power consumption, extending the lifespan of laser elements while maintaining high image quality by ensuring consistent drying across the image formation region.
Implementation Method 1
plural laser elements that emit laser beams with controllable intensity... controls the intensity of the laser beams emitted from the plural laser elements so as to obtain intensity corresponding to drying intensity
Implementation Method 2
intensity for drying liquid droplets in a case where at least a part of an image region formed by the liquid droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A drying device includes: a plurality of laser elements that emit laser beams with controllable intensity and respectively emit the laser beams such that the emitted laser beams partially overlap one another; and a controller that controls the intensity of the laser beams emitted from the plurality of laser elements so as to obtain intensity corresponding to drying intensity set as intensity for drying liquid droplets in a case where at least a part of an image region formed by the liquid droplets ejected in accordance with image information is included in an irradiation region of the laser beams emitted from the plurality of laser elements.