UV-Curable Inkjet Printer Enclosure with UV-Filtering Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers using UV-curable ink face issues with emissions and heat generation, which require separate ventilation systems and protective measures, limiting operator visibility and increasing costs, while existing solutions compromise on print quality and design freedom.
Innovation Solution
A closed inkjet printer assembly with a transparent window for UV radiation filtering, a separate curing carriage, and an exhaust system for air filtration and cooling, allowing for a cost-effective design that prevents harmful emissions and overheating while enabling operator visibility and improved print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a closed print space is used to prevent emissions, then emissions are contained, but UV radiation shielding becomes necessary which limits operator visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The covering is divided into a transparent window part and an opaque shielding part. The window part allows visible light transmission for operator visibility, while the opaque part blocks UV radiation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the visibility function from the UV shielding function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the covering have different optical properties: the window part is transparent to visible light but blocks UV, while other parts are opaque. This local differentiation allows the covering to provide both visibility and UV protection simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UV radiation shielding measures are applied, then operator protection is improved, but view on printed image is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The covering is segmented into regions with different optical properties - a transparent window region for visibility and opaque regions for UV shielding. This allows simultaneous achievement of UV protection and visible light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering uses composite material properties where the window part is made of material that transmits visible light but blocks UV radiation, combining the benefits of transparency and UV shielding in a single component.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If separate ventilation systems are used to remove polluted air, then emissions are reduced, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation function is merged with the existing covering structure. The covering serves dual purposes: enclosing the print space to contain emissions and providing a pathway for exhaust air removal. This integration eliminates the need for separate ventilation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both an enclosure for emission containment and a structural element that facilitates ventilation. This universal design reduces overall system complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional protective measures against UV radiation are applied, then operator safety is improved, but design freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
UV protection is merged into the covering design itself rather than being a separate add-on. The covering incorporates UV-blocking properties in its material selection and structural design, maintaining design freedom while providing safety.
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 reduces harmful emissions and heat, allows operator visibility without UV radiation hazards, and enhances print quality by enabling time-controlled curing and large-area UV radiation profiles, while simplifying the design and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an UV radiation source for irradiating the droplets of UV-curable ink on the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
the window part being at least partially transparent for visible light and configured to filter UV radiation from the UV radiation source
Implementation Method 3
exhaust means, the exhaust means being configured to exhaust air from the print space
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
An inkjet printer assembly for printing an image on a recording medium comprises a medium support surface for supporting a recording medium; an inkjet print head for ejecting droplets of an UV-curable ink on the recording medium, the inkjet print head being arranged over the medium support surface; an UV radiation source for irradiating the droplets of UV-curable ink on the recording medium, the UV radiation source being arranged over the medium support surface; a covering arranged over the medium support surface, the covering and the medium support surface together enclosing a print space including the inkjet print head and the UV radiation source; and exhaust means, the exhaust means being configured to vent the print space. The covering comprises a window part arranged such to allow a view on the medium support surface, the window part being at least partially transparent for visible light and configured to filter UV radiation from the UV radiation source to an extent that no harmful amount of UV radiation passes through. Thus, an operator is enabled to view a print result directly as it is printed without being subjected to harmful radiation.