Staged UV Curing for Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Ink Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses using UV ink face challenges in achieving good image quality due to ink mixing and irregularities in dot formation, which affect print concentration and gloss, especially when UV ink is cured before or after spreading on the medium.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a carriage that includes a first and second irradiation section for UV curing, where the irradiance levels differ, allowing for controlled dot formation and suppression of ink mixing by staged UV exposure to prevent dot spreading and enhance image gloss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If UV irradiation is applied immediately after dot formation to prevent ink mixing, then ink mixing is suppressed, but dot area decreases and image gloss is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the UV irradiation process into two separate sections: a first irradiation section that applies UV light immediately after dot formation to suppress ink mixing, and a second irradiation section that applies UV light after dot spreading to maintain dot area and image gloss. This segmentation allows each irradiation section to perform its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between preventing ink mixing and maintaining dot quality.
2Shape
If UV irradiation is delayed until after dot spreading to maintain dot area and gloss, then image quality is improved, but ink mixing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The first irradiation section performs preliminary UV irradiation immediately after dot formation to suppress ink mixing before the dots have a chance to spread and mix with other inks. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of ink mixing while the second irradiation section subsequently maintains dot area and gloss, thus resolving the contradiction.
3Device complexity
If single-stage UV irradiation is used to simplify the apparatus, then device complexity is reduced, but both ink mixing prevention and image quality cannot be simultaneously achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UV irradiation system into two distinct irradiation sections with different irradiance levels and timing, allowing each section to optimize for its specific function. While this increases device complexity compared to a single-stage system, it enables simultaneous achievement of ink mixing prevention and high image quality, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
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 apparatus achieves a balance between preventing ink mixing and maintaining image gloss by using staged UV curing with varying irradiance levels, ensuring good image quality and controlled dot size.
Implementation Method 1
a first irradiation section that is installed on the carriage and irradiates the electromagnetic waves on dots formed by landing the liquid which is ejected from the moving nozzle, on a medium
Implementation Method 2
a second irradiation section that is installed on the carriage and irradiates the electromagnetic wave on the dots which are irradiated by the electromagnetic wave from the first irradiation section
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes (A) a carriage that moves a nozzle ejecting a liquid which is cured by irradiation of an electromagnetic wave in a moving direction, (B) a first irradiation section that is installed on the carriage and irradiates electromagnetic waves on dots formed by landing the liquid which is ejected from the moving nozzle, on a medium, and (C) a second irradiation section that is installed on the carriage and irradiates electromagnetic waves on the dots which are irradiated by the electromagnetic waves from the first irradiation section, in which an irradiance level of the electromagnetic waves from the second irradiation section is different from that of the electromagnetic waves from the first irradiation section.