Print Agent Drying with Hot Air and UV on Absorbent Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges in achieving rapid drying of print agents without adversely affecting print quality, and existing drying techniques are either inefficient or require large, expensive apparatuses with high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage drying process using hot air to reduce the viscosity of print agents on absorbent substrates followed by ultraviolet radiation to dry the unabsorbed portion, optimizing temperature and airflow to promote absorption and minimize evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rapid drying techniques are used to increase productivity, then drying speed is improved, but print quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drying process is divided into two distinct stages: an initial rapid drying stage using hot air to remove excess solvent quickly, followed by a secondary drying stage using ultraviolet radiation to complete the drying process. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function, achieving both high drying speed and high print quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the drying process by transitioning from thermal energy (hot air) to electromagnetic energy (ultraviolet radiation). This parameter change enables the system to achieve rapid drying without the adverse effects of excessive heat on print quality, as UV radiation dries the ink through a different mechanism that does not involve high temperatures.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional drying apparatuses are used to ensure print quality, then print quality is maintained, but apparatus size and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical/thermal drying system (hot air circulation) with a combination system that incorporates ultraviolet radiation. The UV radiation component enables rapid drying with significantly lower energy consumption compared to conventional thermal drying apparatuses, while maintaining or improving print quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition properties of the print agent by using ultraviolet radiation to initiate and accelerate the drying process. The UV energy causes rapid evaporation or chemical transformation of the solvent, enabling quick drying without the need for large, energy-intensive thermal drying systems.
3Productivity
If conventional drying methods are used to dry print agent, then drying is achieved, but apparatus complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two different drying mechanisms (hot air drying and ultraviolet radiation drying) into a single integrated system. This combination allows the apparatus to leverage the strengths of both methods—rapid initial drying from hot air and complete drying from UV radiation—while sharing common infrastructure such as the substrate support and control systems, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both thermal drying and UV radiation drying. This universal design allows the same apparatus to handle different types of print agents and drying requirements, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 method achieves quick and efficient drying of print agents with improved print quality by reducing the viscosity and promoting absorption into the substrate, while minimizing energy consumption and apparatus size.
Implementation Method 1
direct hot air to heat up the printer ink, to thereby flush at least a portion of the water and/or the solvent into the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a light source is to emit ultraviolet light towards the printer ink on the substrate, to dry the unabsorbed portion of the printer ink
Data Source
AI summary
A method of drying print agent is disclosed. The method comprises blowing hot air onto an absorbent printable medium that bears water- and/or solvent-based print agent to reduce the viscosity of the print agent and to promote absorption of at least some water and/or solvent in the print agent by the printable medium; and, subsequent to the blowing of hot air, irradiating the printable medium with ultraviolet radiation to dry the unabsorbed portion of print agent on the printable medium. A printer ink drying apparatus and a print apparatus are also disclosed.