Supply Roller Position Control for Liquid Application Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, liquid accumulation between rollers leads to corrosion, resulting in uneven ink application and reduced product life due to volatile component evaporation and increased corrosion component concentration, especially when the liquid is concentrated on specific areas of the roller surface.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a liquid application device with a controller that manages the rotation and position of the supply roller to prevent liquid accumulation by executing intermittent rotation driving of the squeeze roller when not in use, ensuring it stops at a different phase than before application, and maintaining the liquid level to prevent viscosity increase and evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the supply roller continuously rotates to supply liquid to the application roller, then the liquid supply is continuous and stable, but liquid accumulates between the rollers causing corrosion and reducing product life
Solution Approach 1:
The supply roller performs intermittent rotation rather than continuous rotation. The controller rotates the supply roller at specific intervals to supply liquid to the application roller, then stops rotation to prevent liquid accumulation. This periodic action maintains reliable liquid supply while avoiding the harmful effects of continuous rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the application roller's rotation to drive the supply roller through frictional contact. When the application roller rotates, it naturally drives the supply roller to rotate as well, eliminating the need for an independent continuous drive mechanism for the supply roller and reducing liquid accumulation risks.
2Quantity of substance
If the liquid level in the container is maintained high to ensure continuous supply, then the liquid supply is sufficient, but volatile components evaporate and corrosion components concentrate
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply operates periodically rather than continuously. The supply roller rotates only when liquid needs to be supplied to the application roller, reducing the time liquid is exposed to air and minimizing evaporation of volatile components and concentration of corrosion components.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid is supplied to the application roller just in time before it contacts the target, rather than maintaining a continuously high liquid level. This preliminary timing action ensures sufficient liquid supply while minimizing exposure time and harmful evaporation effects.
3Ease of operation
If the supply roller stops at the same position after rotation, then the system is simple to control, but liquid accumulates at specific contact points on the roller surface
Solution Approach 1:
The supply roller is designed to stop at different positions after each rotation cycle rather than returning to the same starting position. This asymmetric stopping pattern prevents liquid from accumulating at the same contact points on the roller surface, distributing the contact points and reducing localized corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of controlling only the rotation angle, the system also controls the stopping position in a different dimensional aspect. The controller makes the supply roller stop at varied positions along its rotation path, adding positional variability to prevent liquid concentration at fixed points.
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 prevents corrosion and maintains even ink application, extending the life of the rollers and ensuring high-quality image formation by dispersing contact points and reducing evaporation of volatile components, thus maintaining the integrity of the image forming system.
Implementation Method 1
The supply roller rotates with the supply roller immersed in the container and supplies the liquid to the application roller
Implementation Method 2
The supply roller rotates with the supply roller immersed in the container and supplies the liquid to the application roller
Implementation Method 3
The transfer unit contacts the target with the application roller and causes the application roller to apply the liquid to the target
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid application device includes an application roller, a container, a supply roller, a transfer unit, and a controller. The application roller applies a liquid to a target. The container stores the liquid. The supply roller rotates with the supply roller immersed in the container and supplies the liquid to the application roller. The transfer unit contacts the target with the application roller and causes the application roller to apply the liquid to the target. The controller controls an operation of the liquid application device. In a state in which the transfer unit does not contact the target with the application roller, the controller controls the supply roller to rotate and stop at a position different from a pre-rotation position of the supply roller.