Printer Substrate Curling via Transparent Fluid Moistening

Solution Overview

Problem

The curling of printing substrates due to moisture differences caused by ink application affects print quality and printer design, requiring complex and costly solutions to manage tension differences.

Innovation Solution

Increasing the moisture level in unprinted regions of the printing substrate using a transparent fluid, applied either through a print head or in a humidifier, to reduce moisture differences and prevent curling, allowing for a simpler and more cost-effective printer design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the printing substrate is directed around rollers with large radii to pull waves out of the printing substrate, then curling is reduced, but the structural space required increases and the printer design becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurling reductionVSAvoidprinter design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the moisture content parameter of the printing substrate by applying a transparent fluid to unprinted regions, thereby altering the physical-chemical properties of the substrate to reduce curling without requiring complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of large-radius rollers with a chemical/physical approach using transparent fluid application to achieve the same curling reduction effect, simplifying the printer design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the printing substrate is directed around rollers with large radii to pull waves out of the printing substrate, then curling is reduced, but the structural space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurling reductionVSAvoidstructural space

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the moisture content parameter of the printing substrate by applying a transparent fluid to unprinted regions, thereby altering the physical-chemical properties of the substrate to reduce curling without requiring complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of large-radius rollers with a chemical/physical approach using transparent fluid application to achieve the same curling reduction effect, simplifying the printer design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If water-based ink with humectant and curling preventative is applied, then curling is reduced, but the print image must be applied on both sides and special substances must be added to the ink or clear fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurling reductionVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies transparent fluid selectively to unprinted regions of the printing substrate, creating local moisture enhancement where needed to reduce curling without affecting the print quality of inked regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention separates the functions of ink application and moisture enhancement by applying ink to print regions and transparent fluid to unprinted regions, allowing each function to be optimized independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 method effectively reduces curling by equalizing moisture levels across the printing substrate, improving print quality and reducing the need for complex printer structures, while maintaining a cost-effective and space-efficient design.

Implementation Method 1

The moisture of the printing substrate depends on the material of the printing substrate, in particular the absorption capability of the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8708479B2Method to reduce the curling of a printing substrate in a printer, and device to print to a printing substrate

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 OCE PRINTING SYST GMBH

AI summary

In a method or device to reduce curling of a printing substrate in a printer, at least one print region of the printing substrate is printed with ink. A moisture level of the printing substrate is increased in at least one unprinted partial region of the printing substrate that is arranged on a same side of the printing substrate as the print region.