Printing Apparatus Fluff Compression Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high printing quality when dealing with printing media that generate fluff, as contact between the fluff and the discharging head can lead to defects like nozzle clogging and landing deviations, and the integration of laser-based fluff processing systems is costly and poses safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus equipped with a medium press portion that compresses the printing medium using a combination of rollers and a heating unit, allowing for adjustable pressing pressure and temperature to lower the fluff height, thereby reducing contact between the discharging head and fluff, and enabling the discharging head to be set at an optimal distance for improved image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a laser irradiating device is provided to thermally fuse the fluff layer, then printing quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the laser irradiating device (optical system) with a mechanical compression system consisting of a press roller and support roller. The press roller applies mechanical pressure to compress the fluff layer, achieving the same printing quality improvement without requiring complex optical equipment. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the discharging head is raised to avoid contact with fluff, then harmful factors are reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary compression to the printing medium using the press roller before the discharging head performs printing. By compressing the fluff layer in advance, the printing surface is flattened and prepared, allowing the discharging head to maintain close proximity for high printing quality without contact-related harmful effects. The preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing the medium in advance.
3Manufacturing precision
If pressing pressure is increased to compress fluff, then manufacturing precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temperature control as an additional parameter alongside pressing pressure. The press roller is heated to a specific temperature range (50-150°C) to thermally soften the fluff layer, reducing the required pressing pressure for effective compression. By changing the temperature parameter, the system achieves good fluff compression with lower mechanical pressure, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 effectively reduces defects such as nozzle clogging and landing deviations, allowing for the formation of high-quality images on fluff-generated printing media by ensuring the discharging head is properly aligned, and includes a notification system to prevent image quality deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a medium press portion (70) which compresses the printing medium (95)
Implementation Method 2
the medium press portion (70) which compresses the printing medium (95)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a discharging head which discharges liquid on a printing medium mounted on an endless belt; a transport unit which transports the printing medium in a transport direction; a medium press portion (70) which is provided on an upstream side of the discharging head in the transport direction and includes a medium pressing unit (79) which compresses the printing medium; and a control portion which controls the medium press portion.