Transfix Pressure Member Outer Layer Modulus for Uniform Nip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current transfix pressure members in high-speed printing machines face challenges in maintaining uniform pressure and image quality due to increased pressure requirements, temperature variations, and ink components, leading to difficulties in achieving desired image resolution and durability.
Innovation Solution
A transfix pressure member design comprising a substrate and an outer layer with a modulus of 8 to 300 MPa and thickness of 0.3 to 10 mm, capable of exerting pressure from 750 to 4,000 psi, utilizing polyurethane materials with optional fillers to enhance hardness and modulus, and configured with a convex crown for optimal nip profile and paper handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure requirements are increased for high-speed printing, then image transfer and durability are improved, but uniform pressure maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the modulus of the outer layer between 8-300 MPa and thickness between 0.3-10 mm to optimize pressure distribution. This allows the transfix pressure member to maintain uniform pressure across the nip while delivering the required 750-4000 psi for high-speed printing, resolving the contradiction between pressure requirements and pressure uniformity maintenance.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure is increased to improve image resolution, then ink transfer quality improves, but temperature stability becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by selecting polyurethane materials with specific modulus ranges (8-300 MPa) and thicknesses (0.3-10 mm) that provide thermal stability. This allows the system to maintain temperature stability while achieving the necessary pressure for high image resolution (750-4000 psi), preventing temperature fluctuations that would compromise print quality.
3Productivity
If pressure requirements increase for high-speed printing, then productivity improves, but material durability and roll life decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using polyurethane as the base material with optional fillers to enhance hardness and modulus. This composite approach creates a material that is both durable enough to withstand high-speed printing pressures (750-4000 psi) and resilient enough to extend roll life, resolving the contradiction between productivity and material durability.
4Reliability
If pressure is increased to ensure ink durability, then image durability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transfix pressure member into distinct functional layers: a substrate and an outer layer with specific modulus (8-300 MPa) and thickness (0.3-10 mm). This segmented structure simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving the necessary ink durability through optimized pressure distribution in each layer.
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 design ensures improved image transfer and durability by maintaining consistent pressure and temperature stability, extending roll life, and maintaining high print quality even at increased pressures, while reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
an outer layer positioned on the substrate and having a modulus of from about 8 to about 300 MPa, and a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 10 mm
Data Source
AI summary
An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium having a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and a transfix pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member, wherein the print medium passes through a nip formed between the imaging member and the transfix pressure member, and wherein the imaging member exerts pressure on the transfix pressure member so as to transfer and fuse the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and further wherein the transfix pressure member includes a substrate; and an outer layer having a modulus of from about 8 to about 300 MPa, a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 10 mm, and wherein the pressure exerted at the nip is from about 750 to about 4,000 psi.