Two-Stage Heating Roller Drying Device for Ink-Jet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying devices in ink-jet printing systems face challenges in efficiently drying printed objects without causing curling, wrinkles, or cockling due to abrupt temperature rises, which can lead to degradation in image quality and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A drying device with a two-stage heating process using first and second heating roller parts, accompanied by hot air blowing devices and an auxiliary heating part, along with quick cooling rollers, to gradually heat and dry the printed object, controlling temperature and evaporation to prevent curling and wrinkles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the setting temperature of the drying machine is made extremely high, then the printed object is dried sufficiently, but the temperature of the printed object is raised abruptly, causing curling, wrinkles and cockling
Solution Approach 1:
The drying machine is divided into multiple drying units (first drying unit and second drying unit), each with independent temperature control. The first drying unit operates at a lower temperature (50-80°C) to prevent curling, while the second drying unit operates at a higher temperature (80-120°C) to ensure complete drying. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both sufficient drying and prevention of harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter across different drying units and over time. The first drying unit uses a lower temperature range (50-80°C) initially, then the second drying unit uses a higher temperature range (80-120°C). This parameter change strategy enables progressive drying that prevents abrupt temperature rises while ensuring complete solvent removal.
2Productivity
If the drying time is made short, then productivity is improved, but the printed object cannot be dried sufficiently, causing bleeding and flocculation
Solution Approach 1:
The drying process is segmented into two sequential drying units, each contributing to the overall drying efficiency. The first drying unit removes a portion of the solvent at lower temperature, and the second drying unit completes the drying at higher temperature. This segmentation allows for faster total drying time while maintaining sufficient drying quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The two drying units operate in continuous sequence without interruption, maintaining the drying action throughout the process. The printed object passes continuously from the first drying unit to the second drying unit, ensuring uninterrupted solvent removal and achieving both high productivity and high drying quality.
3Productivity
If two drying units are installed with faster transporting speed, then productivity is improved, but the abrupt temperature rise cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is segmented into two independent drying units with separate temperature control systems. The first drying unit maintains lower temperature (50-80°C) while the second drying unit operates at higher temperature (80-120°C). This segmentation allows each unit to control its own temperature independently, preventing abrupt temperature rises even at higher transporting speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic temperature control where the temperature profile changes progressively through the drying units. The transporting speed can be adjusted independently in each unit, allowing the system to adapt to different production requirements while maintaining proper temperature gradients to prevent curling and wrinkles.
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 extends drying time, ensures uniform drying, suppresses curling and wrinkles, and allows for efficient solvent evaporation, maintaining image quality and preventing dimension changes during post-processing.
Implementation Method 1
a drying device for drying a printed object printed by a printing part
Implementation Method 2
provides a first heating roller part and a first heating part and a second heating roller part and a second heating part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)
AI summary
To provide a drying device which can dry a printed object, and is also capable of sufficiently suppressing curling of the printed object itself or wrinkles and cockling from occurring in the printed object, and an ink-jet printing device equipped with such a drying device. The present invention relates to a drying device H that is provided with: a first heating roller part 10 and a second heating roller part 20 that guide a printed object X and are capable of heating the printed object X; a first heating part 11 that is formed so as to be opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the first heating roller part 10 and a second heating part 21 that is formed so as to be opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the second heating roller part 20, wherein after the printed object X has been guided to the first heating roller part 10 on the upstream side, it is guided to the second heating roller part 20 on the downstream side, with the setting temperature of the second heating roller part 20 being made higher than the setting temperature of the first heating roller part 10, and an ink-jet printing device I equipped with such a heating device.