Printing Device Using UV Polymer Melting for Rapid Ink Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies face challenges in efficiently fixing ink to objects in a short time, particularly in ensuring rapid evaporation of solvents and effective polymer fixation without using UV curable inks.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with an ink ejector that ejects ink containing a medium and a fixing polymer, a dryer to expedite medium evaporation, and a melting device that irradiates the ink with UV rays to melt and fix the polymer to the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional heating methods are used to evaporate solvent and fix ink, then the fixation process takes too long, but if UV irradiation is used, then the fixation time is reduced but UV curable inks are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation timeVSAvoidink type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameters of the ink components by using UV irradiation to rapidly heat the ink layer, causing the fixing polymer to melt and the solvent to evaporate simultaneously. This parameter change approach enables fast fixation without requiring UV curable chemistry, thus maintaining compatibility with conventional ink formulations while achieving rapid processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits phase transitions of the ink components during fixation. UV irradiation causes rapid heating that triggers phase change in the fixing polymer from solid to liquid state, enabling it to penetrate and bind to the substrate. The solvent simultaneously undergoes phase transition from liquid to vapor. These phase transitions occur rapidly and enable complete fixation in a short time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If high temperature heating is applied to ensure complete solvent evaporation, then the fixation quality improves but the risk of ink component degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation qualityVSAvoidink component degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thermal conduction heating with optical heating using UV irradiation. This substitution allows energy to be delivered directly to the ink layer without heating the substrate or surrounding air to high temperatures. The UV energy is absorbed by the ink components, causing localized rapid heating that achieves complete solvent evaporation and polymer melting while keeping the overall temperature profile controlled and preventing degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional drying and fixing processes are used separately, then each process can be optimized but the overall production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidprocess control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the solvent evaporation drying process and the polymer fixing process into a single UV irradiation step. The UV energy simultaneously provides the heat needed for solvent evaporation and the thermal energy for polymer melting and substrate penetration. This consolidation of processes eliminates the need for separate drying and fixing stages, improving production efficiency while maintaining precise control through UV parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables rapid and effective fixation of ink by ensuring complete evaporation of the solvent and melting of the fixing polymer, resulting in stable ink adhesion to the object.

Implementation Method 1

The dryer is configured to heat the object to expedite evaporation of the medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The dryer is configured to heat the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The melting device is configured to irradiate the ink on the object with ultraviolet rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet irradiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

irradiate the ink with ultraviolet rays to subject the ink to heat that causes the fixing polymer to melt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 5

causes the fixing polymer to melt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS12370812B2Printing device

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes an ink ejector, a dryer, and a melting device. The ink ejector ejects an ink to an object on which a printed record is to be produced. The ink contains a medium and a fixing polymer. The dryer heats the object to expedite evaporation of the medium. The melting device is configured to irradiate the ink on the object with ultraviolet rays to subject the ink to heat that causes the fixing polymer to melt and to fix the ink to the object accordingly.