Platen Recess Design for Borderless Inkjet Media Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording systems face the issue of ink adhering to platen surfaces during borderless printing, leading to contamination of the back surface of recording media due to capillary transfer from support ribs, even when internal area support ribs are used.
Innovation Solution
A platen design featuring a first portion with a landing surface, a first rib protruding above the landing surface to support the media, and a second portion on either side, with recesses at the boundary to prolong the capillary movement of ink, preventing transfer to the second portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal area support ribs are connected to upstream side support portion, then recording medium can be supported in recording area, but ink may be moved from internal area support rib to upstream side support portion via capillary phenomenon, causing upstream side support portion to be dirtied
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the internal area support rib (first rib) is separated from the upstream side support portion by a boundary portion with a recess. This segmentation prevents continuous capillary connection between the ink-receiving area and the upstream support portion, thereby stopping ink migration while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The boundary portion with the recess acts as an intermediary element between the internal area support rib and the upstream side support portion. This intermediary structure interrupts the capillary pathway that would otherwise allow ink to migrate from the recording area to the upstream support portion, preventing contamination while maintaining mechanical support.
2Reliability
If first rib protrudes above landing surface to support recording medium, then back surface dirtiness is prevented, but ink may still transfer to second portion through capillary action at boundary
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary portion between the first rib and second portion is given a distinct local quality through the recess structure. This localized feature creates a capillary barrier specifically at the boundary where ink transfer is most likely to occur, while the rest of the first rib maintains its protruding structure to support the recording medium effectively.
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 design effectively reduces the likelihood of ink transfer to the second portion, minimizing the risk of ink contamination on the back surface of the recording medium during borderless printing.
Implementation Method 1
it is feared that the ink, which is landed in the vicinity of a boundary portion between the internal area support rib and the upstream side support portion in the recording area, may be moved from the internal area support rib to the upstream side support portion in accordance with the capillary phenomenon
Implementation Method 2
a recess, which has a bottom surface that is lower than an upper surface of the second portion, is formed at a boundary portion with respect to the second portion, on an upper end of at least one of the first ribs
Data Source
AI summary
A platen, which supports the recording paper to be transported, includes a first portion having an upper surface on which an ink discharged from nozzles disposed thereover can be landed, first ribs which are provided to extend in a transport direction in an area of the upper surface and which support the recording paper on an upper side beyond the upper surface, and a second portion which is provided on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the first portion.