UV Curing Ink Jet Apparatus with Planar Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality due to heat generation from ultraviolet ray curing, which affects the precision of ink landing and properties of the ink on the recording medium, leading to decreased image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a conveyer system with multiple conveyance members that move the recording medium in specific planes, allowing for precise ink jetting, fixing, and reading, while controlling temperature and using UV-curable ink that is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the ink, with anti-floating units and a corona treatment unit to ensure stable and accurate image recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet ray is used to cure ink on recording medium, then ink fixation is improved, but heat generation affects image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the curing process into two separate stages: first, ink is jetted onto the recording medium while it is moved in a first plane; second, the recording medium is transferred to a different plane (second plane) for UV irradiation curing. This spatial segmentation separates the temperature-sensitive ink jetting process from the heat-generating curing process, preventing heat from affecting ink placement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dimensional separation by moving the recording medium between different planes. The ink jetting occurs in a first plane, while the UV curing occurs in a second plane that is spatially separated. This dimensional transition allows the heat-generating curing process to occur without thermally affecting the ink jetting process, while maintaining proper sequencing through the conveyer system.
2Reliability
If UV curing is applied to fix ink, then image fixation is improved, but precision of ink landing deteriorates due to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recording process into distinct spatial zones: an ink jetting zone where precision is critical, and a separate UV curing zone where heat generation occurs. By physically separating these zones through the use of different planes and the conveyer system, the patent ensures that ink landing precision is maintained during jetting while still achieving reliable fixation during the separate curing stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the ink jetting action first while the recording medium is in the first plane, before the UV curing action occurs in the second plane. This preliminary completion of the precision-sensitive jetting operation before exposing the system to heat-generating curing ensures that ink placement precision is established before thermal effects can interfere.
3Manufacturing precision
If heat generation from curing is reduced, then image quality is improved, but ink fixation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by segmenting the process so that both high-quality ink jetting and reliable UV fixation can occur at their optimal conditions in separate spatial locations. The ink jetting is performed with precision in the first plane without heat interference, while the UV curing for reliable fixation occurs in the second plane where heat generation is isolated from the jetting process.
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 enables stable and high-quality image recording by minimizing the impact of heat generation on the recording process, ensuring precise ink placement and fixing, and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the ink jetted from the recorder is curable by a predetermined energy ray, wherein the fixer irradiates the ink on the recording medium with the predetermined energy ray
Implementation Method 2
a corona treatment unit that applies corona discharge to the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording apparatus contains a conveyer which conveys a recording medium, the conveyer having conveyance members on which the recording medium is mounted; a recorder which jets ink onto the recording medium being conveyed; and a fixer which fixes the ink landed on the recording medium. The ink is curable by a predetermined energy ray. The fixer irradiates the ink on the recording medium with the predetermined energy ray. The conveyer passes the recording medium for conveyance between the conveyance members and moves the recording medium in respective planes by movement of the conveyance members.