UV Curing Head Arrangement for Compact Image Forming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses using ultraviolet curable ink, the long image forming region due to the distance between ink heads and ultraviolet irradiators leads to decreased transport accuracy of the medium and increased printer size, necessitating costly mechanisms to prevent serpentine movement of the medium.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a first head that discharges light-curable ink, a light radiating unit positioned adjacent to the first head, and a control unit that moves the medium relative to the heads and light radiating unit, ensuring the distance between the first head and second head is not more than the length of the light radiating unit, with optional light guiding units like reflective plates or lenses to concentrate and direct ultraviolet rays effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distance between heads is increased to allow irradiator placement, then the irradiator can be positioned between heads, but the image forming region becomes long and transport accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the irradiator from a longitudinal placement between heads to a lateral placement adjacent to the head assembly. This dimensional change allows the irradiator to be positioned without increasing the longitudinal distance between heads, thereby maintaining a compact image forming region while still enabling effective UV irradiation of the ink discharged from heads.
2Ease of operation
If the distance between heads is increased, then irradiator can be disposed between heads, but the printer size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiator is repositioned from a longitudinal arrangement to a lateral arrangement adjacent to the head assembly. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the irradiator to be integrated into the printer structure without increasing the longitudinal footprint, thereby maintaining a compact printer size while still enabling effective ink curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The irradiator is positioned adjacent to the head assembly, merging the irradiation function with the ink discharge function in close proximity. This integration allows both functions to operate efficiently within a compact space, eliminating the need for separate longitudinal spacing between heads and irradiator.
3Manufacturing precision
If the image forming region is shortened, then transport accuracy improves, but the irradiator may not be able to effectively cure the ink
Solution Approach 1:
A light guiding unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the irradiator and the ink discharge region. This light guiding unit directs and concentrates the ultraviolet light from the irradiator onto the ink discharged from the head, ensuring effective curing even within a compact image forming region where the irradiator is positioned adjacent to the head rather than far from it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a light guiding unit that modifies the parameters of ultraviolet light transmission by using reflective surfaces or optical focusing to increase light intensity and directionality. This parameter change ensures that sufficient UV energy reaches the ink within the shortened image forming region, maintaining curing effectiveness despite the reduced distance between head and irradiator.
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 reduces the image forming region length, enhances transport accuracy, improves image quality, and decreases the printer's size by effectively utilizing the light radiating unit's energy, thereby eliminating the need for additional mechanisms to prevent medium deviation.
Implementation Method 1
a light radiating unit that is positioned at one side from the first head in a predetermined direction and cures the first light-curable ink by radiating light to the first light-curable ink
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a first head that discharges first light-curable ink; a light radiating unit that is positioned at one side from the first head in a predetermined direction and cures the first light-curable ink by radiating light to the first light-curable ink; a second head that is positioned at the one side from the light radiating unit in the predetermined direction and discharges second light-curable ink; and a control unit that causes an image to be formed on a medium by controlling the first head and the second head to discharge the light-curable ink while moving the position of the medium relative to the first head, the light radiating unit, and the second head to the one side in the predetermined direction.