Printer Paper Cooling via Aqueous Mist Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing generates excessive heat in paper stock, particularly when printing on heavy gloss paper, which can lead to overheating of printheads during duplex printing due to retained thermal energy, as existing printer coolers are insufficient to manage this heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves misting an aqueous solution onto the unprinted side of paper stock within a printer assembly, utilizing a misting assembly and convection accelerator to evaporate the solution and cool the paper stock before duplex printing, with sensors and a controller managing the misting and airflow to maintain optimal printhead operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If printer coolers are used to reduce paper stock temperature, then printhead overheating is partially mitigated, but the residual heat from heavy gloss paper stock still causes untenable increases in printhead temperature during duplex printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies aqueous solution to the unprinted side of paper stock before it returns to the printing station for duplex printing. This preliminary cooling action removes residual heat generated during the first side printing, ensuring the paper stock is sufficiently cool before the second printing operation begins, thereby preventing printhead overheating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling mechanism using aqueous solution applied via misting assembly. This intermediary substance absorbs heat from the paper stock through evaporation, serving as a heat transfer medium between the hot paper stock and the printing system, thereby protecting the printhead from thermal damage
2Loss of energy
If aqueous solution is misted onto paper stock for cooling, then heat dissipation is enhanced, but the system complexity increases due to additional misting assembly and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the paper stock itself as the substrate for heat dissipation. By misting aqueous solution directly onto the paper surface, the cooling process leverages the paper's large surface area and its inherent thermal properties, eliminating the need for complex external cooling structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs evaporative cooling by transitioning water from liquid (mist) to vapor phase. This phase transition absorbs latent heat from the paper stock, providing efficient heat dissipation through a naturally occurring physical process rather than requiring mechanical refrigeration systems
3Temperature
If the amount of aqueous solution misted is increased to enhance cooling, then paper stock temperature reduction is improved, but the controller must precisely manage solution application to avoid excessive moisture affecting print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives input from temperature sensors monitoring the paper stock and adjusts the aqueous solution application rate accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal cooling while preventing excessive moisture that could compromise print quality, maintaining precise control over the cooling process
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the misting rate based on real-time conditions including paper stock temperature, humidity, and print job characteristics. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize cooling efficiency while adapting to varying print quality requirements, ensuring consistent results across different printing conditions
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
Effectively reduces paper stock temperature to prevent printhead overheating, maintaining optimal operating conditions and improving print quality by dissipating heat efficiently, with some embodiments capable of cooling the paper stock to 32° C within four seconds.
Implementation Method 1
an at least one convection accelerator assembly designed to accelerate evaporation of the aqueous solution misted onto the unprinted surface of the printed paper stock, the evaporation cooling the paper stock
Implementation Method 2
the evaporation cooling the paper stock, before the printed paper stock arrives at the at least one printing station from the return pathway of the duplex loop for duplex printing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for cooling paper within a printer assembly that includes at least one misting assembly designed to mist an aqueous solution onto an unprinted surface of paper stock after a first side is printed. At least one convection accelerator assembly is designed to accelerate evaporation of the aqueous solution before the printed paper stock arrives at the at least one printing station for printing on the unprinted surface. At least one or more of a paper temperature, machine temperature, printhead temperature, and humidity sensor are operationally coupled to at least one controller assembly programmed to control at least one or more of misting, humidity, and airflow. The at least one controller assembly is designed to determine the heat to be dissipated into the airflow from the printed paper stock to obtain a targeted paper temperature and, therefore, the amount and placement of aqueous solution misted.