Printing Apparatus Air Blowing Unit Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in space-saving design, particularly in the transport direction of the medium, due to the configuration of air blowing units and other components.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus incorporates a unique air blowing unit configuration with a first air blowing unit downstream from the printing head and a second air blowing unit with a greater cross-sectional area, positioned between the housing and the processing unit. This configuration allows for efficient air flow and space optimization by facing each other in specific regions along the scanning direction of the carriage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional air blowing unit is provided downstream from the carriage, then the medium can be dried after printing, but the apparatus occupies more space in the transport direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the air blowing unit from a downstream location in the transport direction to a location adjacent to the carriage in the scanning direction. This dimensional change allows the air blowing unit to be placed in the width direction rather than extending the transport direction, thereby maintaining the drying function while reducing the apparatus length in the transport direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowing unit is positioned within the space adjacent to the carriage in the scanning direction, effectively nesting the drying function within the existing carriage assembly footprint. This allows the air blowing unit to share the same transport direction space as the carriage, eliminating the need for additional downstream space.
2Productivity
If the second air blowing flow path has a greater cross-sectional area, then air flow efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing system is divided into two separate flow paths: a first air blowing flow path for primary air delivery and a second air blowing flow path for supplementary air delivery. This segmentation allows each flow path to be optimized independently, with the second path having a greater cross-sectional area to provide additional airflow capacity without complicating the primary flow path design.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication port acts as an intermediary that connects the second air blowing flow path to the first air blowing flow path. This mediator allows the larger second flow path to feed into the first flow path, enabling efficient air delivery without requiring the entire system to be redesigned with uniformly large dimensions.
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 design achieves space-saving in the transport direction of the medium while maintaining effective air flow for drying the printed medium, thereby optimizing the overall configuration of the printing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow generation unit configured to generate airflow in the first air blowing unit and the second air blowing unit
Implementation Method 2
an air blowing unit configured to blow air to the medium after printing on which printing is performed by the printing head
Data Source
AI summary
A first air blowing unit includes a first air blowing flow path. A second air blowing unit includes a second air blowing flow path and a communication port. The second air blowing flow path has a greater cross-sectional area for blowing air than a cross-sectional area of the first air blowing flow path. The first air blowing unit is located downstream from a carriage and upstream from a processing unit. A part or all of the second air blowing unit is located between a housing and the processing unit. The first air blowing unit and the second air blowing unit are provided at positions where the first air blowing unit and the second air blowing unit face each other in a first specific region along the scanning direction of the carriage. The communication port is located at least in the first specific region.