Transfer Belt Suction Valve Control for Ink Mist Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face issues with ink droplets or mist sticking to the transfer belt and subsequently the recording medium, leading to contamination and inefficient suction mechanisms that increase power consumption and reduce printing quality.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a suction-force changing unit that adjusts air passage openings based on pressure differences between the recording medium and the suction unit, using valves to control airflow and minimize ink mist adherence, thereby optimizing suction efficiency and reducing unnecessary air inflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is drawn through suction holes to hold the recording medium on the transfer belt, then the recording medium can be reliably supplied, but ink droplets or mist stick to the transfer belt and contaminate the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism is divided into multiple independent suction holes, each equipped with its own valve. This segmentation allows individual control of air flow through each suction hole, enabling the system to maintain reliable suction while minimizing ink mist contamination by closing valves in areas not requiring suction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the transfer belt receive different treatments: areas requiring suction remain open, while areas not in contact with recording media have their suction holes closed. This local differentiation ensures that suction force is applied only where necessary, preventing ink mist from being drawn into unnecessary areas and contaminating the recording medium.
2Force
If suction holes remain open to maintain suction force, then recording medium can be held firmly, but unnecessary air inflow decreases suction efficiency and increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The suction holes are equipped with dynamic valves that automatically open and close based on real-time conditions. When a recording medium is present and requires suction, the valve opens to maintain firm holding force. When no recording medium is present or suction is not needed, the valve closes to prevent unnecessary air inflow, thereby reducing power consumption of the suction fan while maintaining adequate suction force when needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If valves are provided in each suction hole to control air flow, then ink mist contamination can be prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valves in each suction hole are designed to automatically open and close in response to the presence or absence of recording media and suction requirements, without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service capability prevents ink mist contamination by closing valves when not needed, while avoiding the added complexity of external control systems, sensors, or actuators that would be required for manual or automated valve control.
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 effectively prevents ink mist from sticking to the transfer belt and recording medium, maintaining print quality, reducing power consumption, and enhancing the reliability of the suction mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The suction unit draws air through each suction hole of the transfer belt
Implementation Method 2
a valve that opens or closes the opening area of the air passage unit in accordance with a pressure difference between the recording medium side and the suction unit side
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus comprises a transfer unit having a transfer surface for holding a recording medium and transferring the recording medium held on the transfer surface, a recording head opposed to the transfer unit and recording images on the recording medium transferred by the transfer unit, a suction-force changing unit drawing the recording medium, a support member providing at substantially the same height as the transfer surface of the transfer unit and supporting the suction-force changing unit, and a suction unit drawing the recording medium to a surface of the support member, via the suction-force changing unit.