Recording Substrate Drying via Direct Radiation Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording substrate treatment apparatuses in printing systems face limitations in drying capacity and energy efficiency, particularly in highly productive printers, due to indirect heating methods and energy losses from cooling the circulating gaseous medium to remove vaporous components.
Innovation Solution
A recording substrate treatment apparatus that uses a combination of a transporting means, first and second suction means, and a radiation heating means to directly heat the substrate, with a blowing means to refresh the gaseous medium and a second suction means to remove it, enhancing drying capacity and energy efficiency by preventing overheating and maintaining optimal vaporous component levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If indirect heating with heated gaseous medium is used, then the recording substrate can be dried, but the drying capacity is limited and energy efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the indirect mechanical heating method (heated gaseous medium) with direct radiation heating (infrared heating). The infrared radiation directly heats the recording substrate without requiring a heated gaseous medium, thereby increasing drying capacity and energy efficiency while eliminating the energy loss associated with heating and circulating large volumes of air.
2Reliability
If the entire circulating flow of gaseous medium is cooled to remove vaporous components, then vaporous components are removed, but excessive energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of the gaseous medium that contains significant amounts of vaporous components and directs it to the cooling means, rather than cooling the entire circulating flow. This selective extraction approach maintains effective vaporous component removal while minimizing energy loss from cooling unnecessary portions of the air stream.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fixation of recording substrate is applied, then deformation is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the natural suction flow generated by the drying process itself to provide the fixation function. The same suction means that creates the air flow for drying also generates underpressure that holds the recording substrate against the transporting means, eliminating the need for separate fixation mechanisms and reducing system complexity while maintaining substrate stability.
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 solution significantly improves drying capacity and energy efficiency, allowing for high productivity in printing systems while preventing overheating and maintaining efficient evaporation by directly heating the substrate and managing vaporous components effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation heating means for directly heating the recording substrate
Implementation Method 2
a first suction means to provide an underpressure force at an outer surface of the transporting means for holding the recording substrate on the outer surface
Implementation Method 3
a blowing means for providing a flow of a gaseous medium at the outer surface of the transporting means
Implementation Method 4
Fixation of a printing substance to a recording substrate usually involves heating the recording substrate comprising the printing substance and evaporating a solvent and/or water stemming from the printing substance
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a recording substrate treatment apparatus, comprising a transporting means for transporting a sheet of a recording substrate; a suction means to provide an underpressure force at an outer surface of the transporting means arranged for holding down a sheet of a recording substrate; a heating means for directly heating the recording substrate; and a blowing means for providing a flow of a gaseous medium at the outer surface of the transporting means, wherein in operation the blowing means receives the gaseous medium from the suction means. The present invention also pertains to a printing system comprising such a recording substrate treatment apparatus and a method of drying a recording substrate using such a recording substrate recording apparatus.