Image Recording Device Transparent Ink Head Interval Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The clear ink head in image recording devices often results in high area ratios, leading to insufficient ultraviolet irradiation, causing differences in curing speeds between clear ink and color images, which can generate wrinkles and deteriorate image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image recording device configuration with a support member, transport section, color ink heads, first and second irradiation units, and a transparent ink head, where the interval between the furthest downstream color ink head and transparent ink head is wider than the interval between color ink heads, and the second irradiation unit is positioned to provide stronger light before the transparent ink discharge, ensuring consistent curing and stabilizing ink discharge characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If clear ink is discharged at high area ratio to overlap the color image, then coating effect is improved, but ultraviolet irradiation becomes insufficient causing curing speed differences and wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The ultraviolet irradiation process is segmented into multiple stages: first irradiation between color ink heads, second irradiation between color ink head and clear ink head, and third irradiation after clear ink head. This segmentation allows different irradiation intensities to be applied at different stages, ensuring proper curing even when clear ink is discharged at high area ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The second ultraviolet irradiation unit performs preliminary curing of the color image before the clear ink is discharged. This preliminary action ensures that the color image is sufficiently cured to serve as a stable base, preventing curing speed differences and wrinkle formation when the clear ink layer is subsequently applied and cured.
2Productivity
If ultraviolet light is disposed closer to ink heads, then curing efficiency is improved, but heat affects ink head discharge characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
Different intervals are applied in different locations: the interval between ultraviolet lights and color ink heads is set to 5mm to 15mm for efficient curing, while the interval between ultraviolet light and clear ink head is set to 15mm to 30mm to reduce heat impact on discharge characteristics. This local differentiation optimizes both curing efficiency and discharge stability.
3Device complexity
If clear ink head is disposed close to color ink heads, then device complexity is reduced, but ink discharge characteristics become unstable due to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The second ultraviolet irradiation unit acts as an intermediary element between the color ink head and clear ink head. It provides necessary ultraviolet irradiation to cure the color image while simultaneously creating a thermal buffer zone that protects the clear ink head from excessive heat, maintaining discharge characteristic 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
This configuration prevents wrinkles by ensuring uniform curing speeds between transparent ink and color images, enhancing image quality and stabilizing ink discharge characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
ultraviolet ray curing ink, which is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays
Data Source
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AI summary
An image recording device is provided with a plurality of color ink heads (51) which each discharge photo curable color inks onto a recording medium, first irradiation units (61) which are disposed between the color ink heads which are adjacent and which irradiate light onto the color inks which are discharged from the color ink heads on the upstream side in the transport direction onto the recording medium, a second irradiation unit (62) which is disposed more to the downstream side in the transport direction than the plurality of color ink heads and which irradiates light which is stronger than the light which is irradiated by the first irradiation units onto the image which is formed using the color inks which are discharged by the plurality of color ink heads, and a transparent ink head (52) which is disposed more to the downstream side in the transport direction than the second irradiation unit (62) and which discharges transparent ink onto the image which is formed on the other surface of the recording medium which is transported in the transport direction while being supported by a support member, wherein an interval, where a furthermost downstream color ink head and the transparent ink head are lined up, is wider than an interval where the plurality of color ink heads are lined up.