Ink-jet Printer Ultraviolet Drying with Energy Absorber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink-jet printers face challenges with high-temperature drying methods, leading to overheating, nozzle clogging, increased device size, and safety concerns, as well as inefficiencies in ink drying and power consumption, particularly in high-speed printing applications.

Innovation Solution

A printing device that uses ink containing an energy ray absorber to generate heat when irradiated with energy rays, allowing for direct ink drying without overheating the medium, reducing power consumption, and enabling more compact device designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high temperature heating is used to dry ink quickly, then ink drying speed is improved, but medium temperature rises causing overheating and safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink drying speedVSAvoidmedium temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is segmented from the medium heating approach to direct ink heating. The ink-jet head includes a heating element that directly heats only the ejected ink droplets rather than heating the entire medium, thereby achieving fast drying without raising medium temperature to dangerous levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Heating is applied locally only to the ink droplets where needed, rather than uniformly heating the entire medium. The heating element in the ink-jet head provides localized thermal energy to the ink immediately after ejection, enabling rapid drying at the application point while keeping the rest of the medium at safe temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If high temperature heating is used to dry ink between ink-jet heads, then ink drying is improved, but device size increases due to cooling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink drying between headsVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is distributed to each individual ink-jet head rather than using a separate centralized heating system. Each ink-jet head contains its own heating element, eliminating the need for large cooling devices and fire prevention systems that would be required with high-temperature centralized heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Heating is performed locally at each ink-jet head position where ink is ejected. This localized approach eliminates the need for extensive cooling infrastructure and fire safety systems, thereby reducing overall device size while maintaining effective ink drying between multiple ink-jet heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If high temperature heating is used for ink drying, then power consumption increases, but drying efficiency is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating load is segmented and applied only to the ink droplets themselves rather than heating large areas of medium. The heating element in the ink-jet head converts electrical energy directly into thermal energy localized at the ink, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal energy is applied locally only to the ink droplets where drying is needed, rather than heating the entire medium surface. This localized heating approach significantly reduces power consumption compared to conventional high-temperature heating methods while achieving the same drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method efficiently dries ink quickly, reduces the risk of overheating and ignition, allows for closer ink-jet head spacing, and enhances printing productivity while ensuring safety without the need for large cooling devices or fire prevention systems.

Implementation Method 1

the ink contains an energy ray absorber to generate heat when irradiated with energy rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of energy rays: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a first converter configured to convert the energy rays into heat to fix the ink to the medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat generation: Heating

Implementation Method 3

is fixed to the medium by evaporating a solvent contained in the ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation of solvent: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10449784B2Printing device and printing method

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO LTD

AI summary

To dry ink using a more appropriate method in a case of performing printing using an ink-jet printer of a line system and the like. A printing device that performs printing using an ink-jet system includes: a conveyance driving unit as a conveyance module that conveys a medium; ink-jet heads; and an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit as an energy irradiation module. A length of the ink-jet heads in a width direction of the medium is larger than a width of a region to be printed. Ink ejected from the ink-jet heads is ink that contains an energy ray absorber and a solvent, the ink being fixed to the medium by evaporating the solvent. The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit irradiates the ink adhering onto the medium with ultraviolet rays to volatilize and remove at least part of the solvent contained in the ink.