Segmented Suction Platen for Uniform Ink Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with uneven drying rates across the surface of the paper due to temperature differences between contact and non-contact regions, leading to variations in ink distribution and deteriorated image quality, especially when using paper with poor water absorption.
Innovation Solution
A target supporting apparatus with a first supporting member having larger suction holes and a second supporting member with smaller suction holes, where the second member is stacked on the first, reducing the non-contact region and enhancing air flow resistance, while a heating unit ensures efficient heat transfer for improved drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the platen is heated to dry the ink, then the drying rate in contact regions is improved, but the temperature difference between contact and noncontact regions causes ink flow and deteriorates image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The platen surface is segmented into multiple independent heating zones corresponding to different suction hole regions. Each heating zone can be independently controlled to provide uniform heat distribution across contact and noncontact regions, eliminating temperature differences that cause ink flow while maintaining effective drying rates.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the platen are provided with differentiated heating characteristics. The heating unit applies localized heat control to specific areas under suction holes versus between suction holes, ensuring each region receives appropriate thermal treatment to prevent ink migration while achieving desired drying performance.
2Force
If the suction hole cross-sectional area is increased to improve paper holding, then the noncontact region area increases, causing greater ink flow and worse image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into multiple small suction holes rather than a few large ones. This segmentation maintains adequate holding force through cumulative suction while minimizing the noncontact region area associated with each individual suction hole, thereby reducing ink flow paths and improving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The parameters of the suction holes are optimized by changing from large cross-sectional areas to multiple smaller cross-sectional areas. This parameter change maintains the total suction force required for paper holding while reducing the harmful noncontact region area that causes ink migration and image quality deterioration.
3Productivity
If heating is applied to dry the ink efficiently, then the drying speed is improved, but the temperature difference causes coloring components to concentrate and deteriorate image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into multiple independent heating zones that correspond to the suction hole pattern. Each zone can be controlled to provide uniform temperature distribution, enabling fast drying through efficient heat transfer while preventing temperature-induced ink flow that would cause non-uniform coloring levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system provides locally differentiated thermal treatment to different regions of the platen. By applying heat uniformly across contact and noncontact regions through localized heating zones, the system achieves high drying speed while maintaining uniform coloring levels and preventing concentration of coloring components.
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 configuration minimizes the area for solvent movement, reducing color level differences and maintaining image quality by limiting ink flow to smaller areas, even when the paper is heated, thus preventing image quality deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of suction holes penetrates through the platen so that the continuous form paper is sucked and held through the suction holes onto the platen
Implementation Method 2
Heat from the heating unit is transferred through the platen to the paper on the platen
Implementation Method 3
the evaporation level of the solvent in the ink applied onto the paper 12 stopped on the platen 27
Data Source
AI summary
A target supporting apparatus includes a first supporting member having a plurality of first suction holes open to the front surface of the member and the rear surface thereof; a second supporting member having a plurality of second suction holes formed therein and being stacked on and fixed to the first supporting member, the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of second suction holes being smaller than the cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of first suction holes; and a sucking unit that sucks in the plurality of first suction holes and hence sucks in the plurality of second suction holes communicating with the plurality of first suction holes. Here, a target which is supported in order for a liquid to be adhered thereto is sucked and held onto a supporting face of the second supporting member due to the driving of the sucking unit.