Thermal Storage Drying Device for Inkjet Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing devices face challenges in efficiently providing the required drying energy at the beginning of a printing phase without increasing electrical load or reducing print quality by ramping the transport velocity of the recording medium.

Innovation Solution

A drying device equipped with a storage unit to store thermal energy, allowing for pre-heating during a charging phase and using this stored energy to rapidly warm the drying medium at the start of the printing phase, thus reducing the need for high electrical loads and eliminating velocity ramping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the electrical load of the drying device is increased to rapidly apply the required drying energy at the beginning of a printing phase, then the drying performance is improved, but the connection costs to the electrical supply network increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying energyVSAvoidconnection costs

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The drying device is pre-heated during a pre-heating phase before the printing phase begins. This preliminary action stores thermal energy in the drying device components (housing, drying modules, medium) so that when printing starts, the full drying energy is immediately available without requiring a high electrical load spike at that moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If the transport velocity of the recording medium is reduced at the beginning of printing operation to increase drying time, then the drying performance is improved, but the print quality is negatively affected due to printing during velocity ramping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying timeVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drying device is pre-heated during a pre-heating phase before the printing phase begins. This preliminary action ensures that the drying device reaches the required temperature and is fully prepared to provide optimal drying energy immediately when printing starts. Consequently, the transport velocity can be maintained at its optimal value throughout printing without reduction or ramping, thereby preserving print quality while ensuring sufficient drying time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables efficient and rapid heating of the drying medium at the beginning of the printing phase, maintaining print quality and reducing energy costs by limiting the connected electrical load, allowing for uninterrupted printing without velocity ramping.

Implementation Method 1

a storage unit (201) to store energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 2

at least one heating element (162) to warm a gaseous drying medium (164, 207)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11247493B2Device and method for drying a recording medium with reduced connected load

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 CANON KK

AI summary

A drying device includes a storage unit in which energy (e.g. thermal energy) may be stored during a charging phase. The stored energy may be used at the beginning of a subsequent printing phase to warm a drying medium (e.g. air) to dry a recording medium that has been printed to. The maximum required connected electrical load of the drying device is advantageously and efficiently reduced.