Printer Drying Assembly Fan Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers face challenges in achieving uniform curing and drying of ink across the page due to variations in air temperature and airflow caused by independent fan speed and heating element control, leading to uneven ink curing and gloss distribution.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that adjusts fan speeds and heating element power independently to maintain uniform air temperature and airflow across the page by using temperature sensors and pulse width modulation signals, ensuring consistent ink curing and drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fan speeds and heating element power are controlled independently, then the drying and curing process can be optimized, but variations in air temperature and airflow cause uneven ink curing and gloss distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor air temperature at multiple positions within the drying assembly. The controller receives these temperature measurements and dynamically adjusts fan speeds and heating element power to maintain uniform temperature distribution, preventing uneven ink curing and gloss variations while optimizing drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts fan speeds and heating element power based on real-time temperature measurements rather than using fixed settings. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to varying thermal conditions during the drying process, maintaining optimal temperature uniformity across the media surface for consistent ink curing and gloss distribution
2Productivity
If multiple fan units and heating elements are used to improve drying performance, then drying efficiency increases, but temperature uniformity across the page deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements independent control of multiple fan units and heating elements, with each component having its own temperature sensor and control parameters. This allows localized adjustment of temperature and airflow at different positions within the drying assembly, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire page while maintaining high drying performance through coordinated operation of all components
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 solution ensures uniform ink curing and drying across the page, maintaining temperature uniformity and airflow constancy, thereby enhancing the durability and gloss consistency of printed outputs.
Implementation Method 1
The heating elements 216 heat the air moved by the fans 214
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensors 218 are located near the fan exhaust and can monitor the temperature of the air as it leaves each fan housing 212
Implementation Method 3
Drying assembly 108 forces heated air past media 104 as shown by arrow 110. The heated air dries and cures the ink deposited onto the media
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A drying assembly is disclosed. The drying assembly has at least 2 fan units where each fan unit has a fan. The fan speed of each fan is adjusted independently to control the air temperature from the fan. The airflow through all of the fans is maintained at a constant value.