Perforated Grill Suction Control for Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing machines experience print defects and soiling due to uncontrollable suction air flow, which causes turbulence and ink deposition on the conveyor belt and grills, especially in the border areas of substrates.
Innovation Solution
A perforated conveyor belt system with a perforated grill that has a different pattern of perforations in the printing area compared to non-printing areas, allowing for adjustable suction flow reduction and using removable blocking elements to minimize suction flow through perforations, thereby reducing turbulence and ink soiling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction elements are used to secure substrates to the conveyor belt, then substrate fixation is improved, but turbulence and print defects occur in the printing area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different perforation patterns in different areas of the grill: a first pattern in the printing area with reduced suction flow to minimize turbulence and print defects, and a second pattern in non-printing areas that maintains effective substrate fixation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each area for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a printing area with modified perforations for reduced suction, and non-printing areas with standard perforations for substrate securing. This segmentation allows independent optimization of suction characteristics in each zone to resolve the conflicting requirements.
2Reliability
If suction flow is increased to improve substrate securing, then fixation reliability is improved, but ink soiling on conveyor belt and grills increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces suction flow locally in the printing area where ink deposition occurs, preventing ink from being pulled onto the conveyor belt and grills by strong air currents. Non-printing areas maintain higher suction for substrate securing, thus resolving the contradiction between fixation reliability and ink soiling prevention.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform perforation pattern is used across the entire grill, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but printing precision in border areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a non-uniform perforation pattern with different densities and configurations in the printing area versus non-printing areas. This local differentiation improves printing precision by reducing turbulence in border areas, while the structured approach maintains reasonable manufacturing feasibility.
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 system minimizes print defects and soiling by reducing suction flow in the printing area while maintaining substrate fixation, allowing for precise ink deposition and easier maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a suction flow created by the suction element is adapted for passing through perforations of the perforated conveyor belt and of the perforated grill to secure the substrate to the perforated conveyor belt
Implementation Method 2
in the perforations of the conveyor belt which are covered by said substrate a vacuum is formed which exerts a suction force which fixes the substrate to the belt
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a substrate printing system, comprising - a perforated conveyor belt (1) adapted for transporting on the same a substrate (5) to be printed, wherein the perforated conveyor belt (1) comprises a set of perforations (10), - a perforated grill (2) which comprises a set of perforations (20) and which is configured such that the perforated conveyor belt (1) can be moved over the perforated grill (2), and - a suction chamber (3) which comprises a suction element, the suction chamber (3) being in communication with the perforated conveyor belt (1) and with the perforated grill (2) such that the suction flow created by the suction element is adapted for passing through perforations (10, 20) of the perforated conveyor belt (1) and of the perforated grill (2) to secure the substrate (5) to the perforated conveyor belt (1).