Liquid Spray Device Protrusion Array for Cockling Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid spray devices like ink-jet printers, sheets with curled leading edges can experience uplift deformation, leading to contact with the spray surface and ink adhesion, which existing rib-based solutions fail to adequately address, especially when the deformation is large.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of protrusions on the spray surface of the liquid spray head, intersecting or tilted relative to the direction of the ribs on the platen, supports the medium and shapes it to reduce uplift deformation, preventing contact with the spray surface by ensuring the protrusions intersect with convex parts rather than concave parts, thereby reducing ink adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ribs are regularly arranged on the platen to match the cockling pattern, then cockling suppression is improved, but uplift deformation of the sheet is not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-direction rib arrangement (parallel to conveyance direction) to a two-dimensional protrusion array (intersecting at angles including perpendicular) on the platen surface. This dimensional change allows the protrusions to contact and suppress uplift deformation at multiple locations across the sheet width simultaneously, effectively addressing the limitation of conventional single-direction ribs.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are arranged asymmetrically relative to the sheet conveyance direction, with intersection angles that are not necessarily parallel or perpendicular but optimized to match the cockling pattern. This asymmetric arrangement allows better adaptation to the specific deformation pattern of the sheet during conveyance and ejection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sheet is supported by ribs to shape cockling pattern, then cockling is suppressed, but the leading edge may still contact the spray surface causing ink adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions on the platen serve as intermediary support elements between the sheet and the spray head. By positioning these protrusions to contact the sheet at strategic locations (including the leading edge area), they act as mediators that prevent direct contact between the sheet and the spray surface, thereby eliminating ink adhesion while maintaining cockling control.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are positioned to contact and suppress uplift deformation of the sheet leading edge before the sheet reaches the spray surface. This preliminary action prevents the leading edge from making contact with the spray surface, proactively eliminating the risk of ink adhesion before it can occur.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protrusions are added to the platen to reduce uplift deformation, then contact with spray surface is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platen surface is segmented into multiple discrete protrusions distributed across the surface, each independently contributing to sheet support. This segmentation allows the complex function of multi-point contact to be achieved through simple, standardized protrusion elements that can be manufactured and positioned systematically, rather than requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes key parameters of the protrusions including intersection angles (e.g., perpendicular or tilted arrangements), spacing intervals, and heights to match the cockling pattern and sheet dimensions. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system achieves effective uplift suppression with a relatively simple protrusion array, minimizing the need for additional complex mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A liquid spray device includes: a liquid spray head (26) including a spray surface (262) provided with a plurality of nozzles that spray liquid to a medium (12); a conveyance mechanism that includes an opposing surface (282) opposite to the spray surface (262) and conveys the medium (12) in a first direction between the spray surface (262) and the opposing surface (282); a plurality of protrusions (264) protruding from the spray surface (262), and arranged in a second direction which is intersecting with the first direction; and a plurality of supports (284) protruding from the opposing surface (282) to support the medium (12) being conveyed, and arranged in the second direction. The protrusions (264) each have at least a part overlapping with a position other than a middle area between the supports (284) adjacent to each other.