Printer Heating System Dual Hot-Air Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printer heating systems face inefficiencies in hot-air circulation during both printing and heating-up operations, leading to prolonged warm-up times and increased energy consumption when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A dual hot-air circulation circuit system with a circuit-switching device that directs hot air through air-impinging holes during printing and recirculates it back to the heater without passing through the holes during heating-up, reducing energy usage and warm-up time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hot air is continuously directed through air-impinging holes to the print media, then ink drying and curing efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases during heating-up operation when no printing is occurring
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two circulation circuits based on operational state. During printing operations, the first circuit directs hot air through air-impinging holes to the print media for efficient drying and curing. During heating-up operations, the second circuit recirculates hot air back to the heater without passing through the holes, preventing energy waste when no printing is occurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path parameter of hot air based on operational requirements. By switching between the first circuit (through air-impinging holes) and the second circuit (recirculation channel), the system optimizes air flow parameters to match the actual operational state, ensuring energy is not wasted directing hot air to the print media during heating-up phases.
2Use of energy by moving object
If hot air is recirculated back to the heater during heating-up operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but warm-up time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the hot air circulation path based on operational state. During heating-up operations, when no printing is occurring, it switches to the second circuit that recirculates hot air back to the heater, reducing energy consumption. The circuit-switching device automatically transitions between circuits based on detected operational conditions.
3Device complexity
If a single hot-air circulation circuit is used for both printing and heating-up operations, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is segmented into two distinct circuits: the first hot-air circulation circuit for printing operations and the second hot-air circulation circuit for heating-up operations. Each circuit is optimized for its specific function, with the first circuit including air-impinging holes and the second circuit including a recirculation channel, enabling differentiated energy management strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system achieves multi-functionality by integrating both printing and heating-up operational modes into a single system. The circuit-switching device enables the same heating system to efficiently handle both printing operations (via the first circuit) and heating-up operations (via the second circuit), optimizing energy efficiency across different operational states.
4Speed
If air flow is directed through air-impinging holes during heating-up operation, then heating speed is improved, but energy waste increases due to continuous air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the air circulation path based on operational state. During heating-up operations, when no printing is occurring, it redirects hot air through the recirculation channel back to the heater instead of allowing it to circulate through the air-impinging holes, thereby preventing energy waste while maintaining appropriate heating speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the air flow path parameter by switching between the first circuit (through air-impinging holes) and the second circuit (recirculation channel). This parameter change allows the system to optimize both heating speed and energy efficiency by directing air flow appropriately based on whether printing operations are currently active.
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 solution enhances ink drying and curing efficiency while minimizing energy consumption and warm-up times by optimizing air flow management between printing and non-printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source (220), a fan (210) and an air chamber (230)
Implementation Method 2
a fan (210) and an air chamber (230) for slightly pressurized air which is delivered by the fan (210) through the heater (220)
Implementation Method 3
produces a hot-air flow to heat a print media (112) in order to dry and/or cure ink which is printed on the print media (112)
Data Source
AI summary
A printer comprises a heating system to produce a hot-air flowimpinging on a print media, the heating system comprising a heat source, a fan, and an air chamber. The air chamber has an air-impinging plate with air-impinging holes adjacent to the print media. The heating system provides first and second partially overlapping hot-air circulation circuits. The first hot-air circulation circuit leads from the heater through the holes of the air-impinging plate to direct hot air through the air-impinging holes to the print media in the course of printing operation. The second hot-air circulation circuit leads back to the heater through a recirculation channel without passing through the air-impinging holes of the air-impinging plate to prevent air from being directed onto the print media, in the course of the heat-up operation. The heating system further comprises circuit-switching arranged to switch the air flow between the first and second hot-air circulation circuits.