Rotating Can Body Image Forming Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image formation on can bodies using digital printing methods, such as ink jet, results in reduced speed and increased defects, leading to lower productivity and potential image quality issues due to the need to move image forming units in conjunction with the can body movement.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device with a conveying unit that moves can bodies while rotating them, featuring multiple image forming mechanisms with ink ejection heads that form images simultaneously on the outer surface, maintaining a constant attitude and adjusting ink ejection force to prevent quality deterioration, and includes a curing unit to ensure proper image fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If digital printing by ink jet is employed, then image formation speed is reduced, but the number of can bodies that can be imaged per unit time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming mechanism is divided into multiple independent image forming portions (first, second, third image forming portions), each capable of forming images of different colors simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple can bodies, increasing the total number of can bodies imaged per unit time while maintaining acceptable image formation speed for each individual can body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point image formation approach to a multi-dimensional approach by arranging multiple image forming portions at different positions and orientations. The ink ejection heads are arranged radially around the can body axis, allowing simultaneous image formation at multiple locations around the can body circumference, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the imaging process.
2Ease of operation
If image forming units are moved together with can body movement, then image formation can be performed, but external forces act on the image forming units causing quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling between can body movement and image forming unit movement with a different approach. Instead of moving the image forming units along with the can body, the system uses a rotating member that holds multiple image forming portions at fixed positions. The can body rotation provides the relative motion needed for image formation, eliminating external forces that would otherwise act on the image forming units.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating member serves multiple functions: it holds the can body during rotation, positions multiple image forming portions at different angular locations, and enables simultaneous image formation on multiple can bodies. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate image forming unit movement mechanisms while maintaining image formation capability.
3Productivity
If multiple image forming portions are provided to increase productivity, then the number of can bodies imaged per unit time increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple image forming portions are merged into a single integrated image forming mechanism that shares common components. The rotating member serves as a common platform for all image forming portions, and the can body rotation provides a common motion source. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate image forming mechanisms for each color or position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides more image forming portions than strictly necessary for a single can body, arranging multiple ink ejection heads at different angular positions. This excessive action allows the system to handle multiple can bodies simultaneously or perform multi-color imaging in a single pass, increasing productivity while the modular design keeps complexity manageable.
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 solution enhances the number of can bodies that can be imaged per unit time while maintaining image quality by stabilizing the image forming process and improving productivity compared to traditional digital printing methods.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plural image forming portions forms the image on the can body by ejecting ink onto the can body from an ink ejection head
Implementation Method 2
each of the image forming mechanisms is further provided with a curing unit that cures the images formed on the can body by the plural image forming portions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A printing device (1) is provided with: a can body conveying mechanism (100) for sequentially conveying can bodies (10); and a can body moving mechanism (200) for moving the can body (10) while forming an image onto the outer circumferential surface of the can body (10) conveyed by the can body conveying mechanism (100). The can body moving mechanism (200) is provided with a rotating member (210) formed in a disc shape and rotating in a clockwise direction in the drawing. The can body moving mechanism (200) is also provided with plural image forming units (220) provided on the rotating member (210) and forming an image onto the outer circumferential surface of the can body (10) while moving the can body (10) . The image forming units (220) are each provided with plural ink ejection devices for ejecting ink onto the outer circumferential surface of the can body (10). This provides an image forming device capable of increasing the number of can bodies on each of which an image can be formed per unit time.