Sheet Conveyor Supports Reduce Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance systems in printers cause deformation of sheets due to uneven suction and heating, leading to poor image quality and durability issues with the conveyance belt.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyor system with a conveyance belt and suction device, supported by multiple supports arranged perpendicular to the conveyance direction, which reduces sheet deformation by stabilizing the sheet's position and preventing uneven heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveyance belt with suction device is used to convey and heat sheets, then sheet conveyance and drying efficiency are improved, but sheet deformation occurs due to uneven suction and heating
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is divided into multiple suction units arranged in the conveyance direction, each independently controlling suction force. This segmentation allows different regions of the sheet to receive appropriate suction force, preventing overall deformation while maintaining drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Each suction unit can independently adjust its suction force according to local requirements. The suction force is made non-uniform across different positions, with stronger suction where needed and weaker suction where the sheet is already stable, thereby preventing deformation while maintaining high drying efficiency.
2Productivity
If strong suction force is applied to accelerate sheet conveyance and drying, then productivity is improved, but sheet deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is segmented into multiple independent units along the conveyance direction. This allows the system to apply strong suction only where necessary for acceleration and drying, while using weaker suction in regions where the sheet is already stable, thus maintaining high conveyance speed without causing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction force is made dynamic and adjustable for each suction unit, allowing the system to optimize suction strength at different positions and times. This dynamic control enables high conveyance speed while preventing deformation by adapting suction force to local sheet conditions.
3Ease of operation
If uniform suction is applied across the entire sheet, then ease of operation is improved, but sheet deformation occurs due to lack of localized control
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is segmented into multiple independent suction units, each capable of independent control. This segmentation provides localized control over suction force, allowing the system to prevent deformation by adjusting suction in specific regions without complicating the overall operation.
4Productivity
If the conveyance belt is heated to accelerate drying, then productivity is improved, but the conveyance belt durability decreases due to thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into multiple independent heating units corresponding to different suction units. This allows heating to be applied locally only where and when needed for drying, reducing overall thermal stress on the conveyance belt while maintaining high drying speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Heating is applied partially and selectively to specific regions of the conveyance belt rather than uniformly across the entire belt. This partial heating approach achieves sufficient drying speed while minimizing thermal stress and extending the durability of the conveyance belt.
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 system effectively reduces sheet deformation and maintains image quality by stabilizing the sheet during conveyance and heating, enhancing the durability of the conveyance belt.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device configured to suck the sheet onto the conveyance belt via the conveyance belt
Implementation Method 2
a heater to heat the sheet on which the liquid has been applied while suctioning and conveying the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyor includes a conveyance belt configured to convey a sheet on a first surface of the conveyance belt in a conveyance direction, a suction device configured to suck the sheet onto the conveyance belt via the conveyance belt, and multiple supports between the conveyance belt and the suction device in a vertical direction, the multiple supports configured to support a second surface of the conveyance belt. A longitudinal direction of each of the multiple supports is parallel to a direction intersecting the conveyance direction, and the multiple supports are arrayed in the conveyance direction.