Print processing apparatus, heating device, and print processing method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current print processing apparatuses for fabrics face challenges in efficiently fixing ink, as they either risk contamination or prolonged drying times due to the limitations of contactless and contact heating methods, lacking flexibility in heating conditions tailored to different fabric types.

Innovation Solution

A print processing apparatus with a heating device that alternates between contactless and contact heating based on pre-set conditions specific to each fabric type, using a controller to manage the temperature, duration, and order of heating processes stored in a condition table, allowing for optimized ink fixation and reduced operation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If contactless heating is used to avoid contamination, then cleanliness is improved, but heating efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontaminationVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is divided into two distinct stages: contactless heating stage and contact heating stage. This segmentation allows each stage to perform its specialized function optimally - contactless heating for contamination-free initial heating, and contact heating for efficient final heating - thereby resolving the contradiction between avoiding contamination and maintaining heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If contact heating is used to improve heating efficiency, then heating efficiency is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Contactless heating is performed as a preliminary action before contact heating. This preliminary heating stage pre-heats the fabric and ink, reducing the heating load for the subsequent contact heating stage. As a result, contact heating can be performed more efficiently with reduced contamination risk, since the fabric is already partially heated and less ink remains in a liquid state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If heating time is extended to improve ink fixation, then ink fixation durability is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink fixation durabilityVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process maintains continuous useful action through the seamless transition from contactless heating to contact heating. Both stages contribute effectively to ink fixation - contactless heating begins the fixation process without contamination, and contact heating completes it efficiently. This continuous action achieves durable ink fixation in a shorter total time compared to using either method alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 approach enhances ink fixation durability and shortens heating operation time by allowing flexible and tailored heating methods for various fabrics, improving both efficiency and preventing color fading.

Implementation Method 1

a heater performing at least one of contactless heating to heat a fabric in a state where the heater is not in contact with the fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

contact heating to heat the fabric in a state where the heater is in contact with the fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11555272B2Print processing apparatus, heating device, and print processing method

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A print processing apparatus, a heating device, and a method of performing a printing process. The print processing apparatus includes a heating device including a heater, the heater performing at least one of contactless heating to heat a fabric in a state where the heater is not in contact with the fabric and contact heating to heat the fabric in a state where the heater is in contact with the fabric, and a memory to store a condition table retaining a condition in which whether the contactless heating is to be performed, whether the contact heating is to be performed, an order in which the contactless heating and the contact heating are performed, and a temperature and a length of time in at least one of the contactless heating and the contact heating to be performed are determined for each kind of the fabric.