Airflow Control in Printing via No-Suction Media Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems using vacuum suction for media transport often experience unintended image blurring due to air currents induced by the suction, particularly at the edges of the print media, leading to inaccurate droplet placement and reduced print quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a movable support surface with no-suction-regions and a control system that registers the print media's edges against these regions, preventing vacuum suction in specific areas to minimize airflow interference during printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vacuum suction is used to hold print media against the movable support surface, then media registration accuracy is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to air current induced blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support surface is segmented into multiple regions with different suction characteristics. No-suction regions are created at specific locations to prevent air current induced blurring, while suction regions maintain media registration accuracy. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both registration accuracy and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the movable support surface are given different properties - some regions have vacuum suction enabled for secure media holding, while other regions (no-suction regions) have suction disabled to prevent air current interference with ink deposition. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between registration accuracy and image quality.
2Reliability
If vacuum suction is applied across the entire movable support surface, then media transport reliability is improved, but harmful airflow effects increase causing image blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support surface is divided into suction regions and no-suction regions. The suction regions maintain reliable media transport through vacuum suction, while the no-suction regions eliminate harmful airflow effects by preventing vacuum-induced air currents that cause image blurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The no-suction regions convert the harmful effect of vacuum suction (air current induced blurring) into a beneficial feature by strategically placing suction-free zones that prevent air current interference with ink deposition, while maintaining overall transport reliability through suction in other regions.
3Manufacturing precision
If no-suction-regions are introduced to reduce airflow interference, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire movable support surface, local no-suction regions are introduced at specific locations where air current interference occurs. This localized approach improves image quality while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to a complete surface modification.
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 significantly reduces image blur by ensuring ink droplets and satellites land closer to their intended locations, enhancing the accuracy and quality of printed images while maintaining efficient printing speeds.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum source creates a vacuum state in the vacuum plenum, causing vacuum suction through holes in the movable support surface that are fluidically coupled to the vacuum plenum
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum source creates a vacuum state in the vacuum plenum, causing vacuum suction through holes in the movable support surface
Implementation Method 3
the vacuum suction generates suction forces that hold the print medium against the movable support surface
Implementation Method 4
the vacuum of the vacuum plenum induces airflow through those uncovered holes. This airflow may deflect ink drops as well as satellites as they are traveling from a printhead to the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system comprises a printhead to eject a print fluid to a deposition region. A movable support surface, such as a belt, is used to transport print media through the deposition region, with the print media being held against the movable support surface by vacuum suction through holes in the movable support surface. A media registration device loads print media onto the movable support surface and registers the print media to a location of the movable support surface. The movable support surface comprises no-suction-regions in which the vacuum suction through the movable support surface is prevented. The no-suction regions extend across the width of the movable support surface in a cross-process direction and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the process direction. The control system causes the media registration device to register each of the print media relative to a respective one of the no-suction-regions.