UV Curing Printing Device Airflow Blocking Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing ultraviolet (UV) curing printing devices, airflow generated by the suction fan for cooling can interfere with the inkjet head, causing ink droplets to misalign and affect print quality.
Innovation Solution
The printing device incorporates a carriage with a head for ejecting ink and an irradiation section for UV curing, where the irradiation section has a cooling unit that uses airflow. A lid section is strategically placed to block airflow from the side facing the medium, preventing it from reaching the inkjet head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a suction fan is used to cool the irradiation section by sucking air through a cooling air suction port, then the irradiation section is effectively cooled, but airflow is generated that may flow near the inkjet head and cause ink droplet misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is divided into a first region containing the inkjet head and a second region containing the irradiation section, with the airflow blocking section positioned between them. This spatial segmentation isolates the airflow generated by the suction fan in the second region, preventing it from affecting the inkjet head in the first region, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and printing precision
Solution Approach 2:
An airflow blocking section is introduced as an intermediary element between the suction fan and the inkjet head. This blocking section acts as a mediator that intercepts and redirects airflow, preventing harmful airflow from reaching the inkjet head while allowing the suction fan to continue cooling the irradiation section effectively
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 effectively suppresses airflow that could disrupt ink droplet alignment, thereby enhancing print quality and preventing temperature fluctuations that might affect the ink's viscosity and trajectory.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiation section (70) that is provided alongside the head (80) in the first direction and that is configured to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the medium M, wherein the irradiation section (70) has a cooling unit that cools the irradiation section (70) by airflow
Implementation Method 2
a printing device that uses ink cured by ultraviolet irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device includes a carriage configured to move in a first direction along a first axis; a head configured to eject ink onto a medium; and an irradiation section that is provided alongside the head in the first direction and that is configured to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the medium, wherein the irradiation section has a cooling unit that cools the irradiation section by airflow, in a plan view facing the medium, the head is disposed in a first region of the carriage and the irradiation section is disposed in a second region of the carriage, and in the second region, at least one lid section is provided to block an airflow from a side in which the carriage faces the medium to the irradiation section.