Posture-Changing Contact Heating Unit for Compact Print Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in improving drying efficiency while reducing the size of the drying unit and maintaining workability of the contact heating unit.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a drying unit with a first and second contact heating unit, supported by guide portions, allowing the units to change posture to optimize space utilization and enhance drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drying unit configuration is optimized to save space between the housing and the contact heating unit, then drying efficiency is improved and device size is reduced, but workability of the contact heating unit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact heating unit is designed with movable support portions that allow it to change its posture dynamically. The support portions can rotate around rotation axes, enabling the contact heating unit to transition between a first posture (for installation/maintenance with improved workability) and a second posture (for drying operation with improved drying efficiency and compact size). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for different operational requirements at different times.
2Volume of stationary object
If the contact heating unit is positioned closer to the housing to reduce device size, then volume of the drying unit is reduced, but accessibility for maintenance and installation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The contact heating unit utilizes movable support portions with rotation axes to enable posture changes. During maintenance or installation, the support portions rotate to bring the contact heating unit to a first posture that provides excellent accessibility and workability. During drying operations, the support portions position the contact heating unit in a second posture that achieves compact device size and improved drying efficiency. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between compact size and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent support portions, each capable of rotating around its own rotation axis. This segmentation allows the contact heating unit to be positioned independently optimized for either maintenance accessibility or compact operation, resolving the contradiction between device size and ease of repair.
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 configuration enhances drying efficiency and reduces the size of the drying unit without compromising the workability of the contact heating unit.
Implementation Method 1
a contact heating unit configured to come into contact with the back surface of the medium after printing, and dry the medium after printing
Data Source
AI summary
A drying unit includes a housing and a first contact heating unit. The first contact heating unit is provided inside the housing. The first contact heating unit includes a first contact heating surface configured to come into contact with a back surface of a medium after printing. The first contact heating unit can change posture from first posture to second posture, in a state where a first engagement portion engages with a first guide portion of a first support portion and a second engagement portion engages with a second guide portion of a second support portion, by a movement from a first position where the first contact heating surface faces the back surface of the medium after printing to a second position where the first contact heating surface is more separated from the back surface of the medium after printing as compared to the first position.