Inkjet Recording Apparatus Vapor Condensation Guide
Solution Overview
Problem
In recording apparatuses with heaters that dry ink without contact, vapor from the ink often condenses on the medium supporting portion, leading to wetting issues, particularly in ink jet recording systems, where image quality is compromised by heater contact and in transfer systems where dehumidification technologies are ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus design featuring a medium supporting portion with an opening for vapor passage and a condensation guide portion with higher thermal diffusivity and conductivity than the supporting portion, strategically positioned to direct vapor condensation away from the supporting portion, utilizing an aperture ratio of 40% or more and an interval of 2-20 mm between components to prevent adhesion and enhance precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a heater is used to dry ink without contact, then ink drying efficiency is improved, but vapor condenses on the medium supporting portion causing wetting
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful condensation function is extracted from the medium supporting portion by providing a dedicated condensation guide portion. The opening portion in the medium supporting portion directs vapor away from the medium supporting surface, and the condensation guide portion with higher thermal diffusivity captures and condenses the vapor in a controlled location, separating the drying function from the harmful condensation effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensation guide portion acts as an intermediary element between the heater and the medium supporting portion. It intercepts vapor that would otherwise condense on the medium supporting portion, using its superior thermal diffusivity to facilitate condensation in a controlled manner away from the critical recording area.
2Productivity
If a heater makes contact with the recording medium to dry ink, then drying effectiveness is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to contact
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the heater provides thermal energy without contact, the opening portion in the medium supporting portion directs vapor flow, and the condensation guide portion handles condensation. This segmentation allows the heater to maintain effective drying through radiation and convection while avoiding direct contact that would degrade image quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dehumidifying unit is used in transfer system, then vapor removal is improved, but technology cannot be applied to ink jet recording system
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation guide portion serves multiple functions applicable to different recording systems: it guides vapor away from the medium supporting portion, provides a controlled condensation surface, and prevents wetting. This universal design can be adapted to both ink jet recording systems and transfer systems, eliminating the need for system-specific dehumidifying units.
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 suppresses vapor condensation on the medium supporting portion, maintaining image quality and preventing wetting, while allowing precise condensation on the guide portion, thus ensuring efficient ink drying without compromising the recording medium.
Implementation Method 1
a heater which dries the ink discharged on the recording medium by the recording head without making contact with the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
a condensation guide portion which causes the vapor that passes through the opening portion to condense
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a recording head which discharges ink onto a recording medium; a heater which dries the ink discharged on the recording medium by the recording head without making contact with the recording medium; a medium supporting portion (6) provided with an opening portion (19) which allows vapor that evaporates from the ink due to the heater to pass therethrough; and a condensation guide portion (8) which causes the vapor that passes through the opening portion (19) to condense.