Print Drying Casing Connection for Air Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face inefficiencies in drying due to air leakage between adjacent casing frames, leading to reduced drying efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a configuration that includes a blowing mechanism in each casing and a connection member to form a closed space between adjacent casings, ensuring airflow continuity and preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drying units are disposed on multiple casing frames with separate heating, then drying capacity is increased, but air leakage occurs between casing frames reducing drying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blowing spaces of adjacent drying units by forming a communication passage between them, allowing hot air to flow continuously from one drying unit to the next. This combines what were previously separate airflow systems into an integrated network, preventing air leakage at the interfaces between casing frames while maintaining the distributed heating architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication passage as an intermediary element that connects the blowing spaces of adjacent drying units. This passage acts as a mediator that directs hot air flow from one casing frame to the next, eliminating the need for tight sealing at the casing interfaces while preventing energy loss through uncontrolled leakage.
2Speed
If hot air is blown vertically to the print medium, then drying speed is improved, but air leakage from gaps between casings reduces overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous hot air flow through the formation of communication passages between adjacent drying units. Hot air that exits one drying unit is immediately directed into the next, creating an unbroken sequence of drying action. This continuity maintains high drying speed at each station while ensuring that the cumulative effect across multiple units maximizes overall productivity.
3Productivity
If multiple independent drying units are used, then drying capacity increases, but structural complexity and air sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drying system into multiple independent drying units that can be manufactured and assembled separately. Each unit maintains its own heating and blowing mechanisms, but the segmentation is complemented by communication passages that link them. This modular approach increases drying capacity while avoiding the need for complex integrated sealing structures between units.
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
Enhances drying efficiency by maintaining airflow integrity and preventing air leakage, thereby improving the fixation and solidification of liquid compositions on print media.
Implementation Method 1
a drying unit that dries a liquid composition applied to a print medium
Implementation Method 2
air heated by a heating device is fed to the drying units
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus configured to dry a liquid composition applied to a print medium while conveying the print medium between a plurality of casings, wherein a blowing mechanism for blowing air to the print medium is disposed in at least one of the plurality of casings, and, between a first casing in which a first blowing mechanism serving as the blowing mechanism is disposed and a second casing adjacent to the first casing, a connection member for connecting a blowing space in the first blowing mechanism of the first casing and a conveyance space in the second casing in which space the print medium is conveyed, thereby forming a closed space, is disposed.