UV Inkjet Head Retraction for Jam Error Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawing devices face inefficiencies in error processing due to the need to increase ultraviolet irradiation intensity and time when a jam occurs, leading to potential blemishes and ink smudging, and complicate the processing sequence.

Innovation Solution

A drawing device with an error detection system upstream of the discharge head, an irradiation device downstream, and a head movement mechanism that retracts the discharge head before an error occurs, allowing for continued irradiation without changing light intensity or time, ensuring the liquid is cured before ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ultraviolet irradiation device is raised to avoid interference with the jam, then the jam can be avoided, but the distance between the recording medium and the ultraviolet irradiation device increases, requiring increased irradiation intensity and time to ensure proper curing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror resolutionVSAvoidprocessing sequence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge head is retracted in advance before the recording medium becomes stuck, preventing the error condition from occurring in the first place. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent complex error resolution procedures involving raising the ultraviolet irradiation device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge head is extracted (retracted) from its normal position during error conditions, separating it from the transport path to prevent interference. This extraction allows the recording medium to be transported through the ultraviolet irradiation device without risk of sticking, simplifying the overall processing sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the discharge head is retracted before error occurs, then the processing sequence is simplified and efficiency is maintained, but the error detection must be more precise and upstream to prevent medium sticking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoiderror detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge head is retracted in advance before the recording medium becomes stuck, preventing the error condition from occurring in the first place. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent complex error resolution procedures involving raising the ultraviolet irradiation device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An error detection device provides feedback about the gap between the recording medium and discharge head, allowing the control unit to retract the discharge head proactively. This feedback mechanism enables precise error detection upstream, maintaining processing efficiency while preventing medium sticking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the ultraviolet irradiation intensity and time are increased to compensate for the raised irradiation device, then proper curing is ensured, but the processing time increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink curingVSAvoidirradiation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge head is retracted in advance before the recording medium becomes stuck, preventing the error condition from occurring in the first place. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent complex error resolution procedures involving raising the ultraviolet irradiation device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ultraviolet irradiation continues without interruption as the recording medium passes through the device, maintaining continuous curing action. This eliminates the need to pause or extend irradiation time, preserving processing efficiency while ensuring proper ink curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 approach prevents medium sticking, maintains efficiency in processing, and stabilizes ink coating, improving overall drawing quality and simplifying the processing sequence.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge head that discharges a liquid which cures when receiving irradiation light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS8979239B2Drawing device and error processing method

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A drawing device includes a recording head that discharges ink which cures when receiving irradiation light; a transport device that transports a sheet coated with the ink discharged from the recording head, along a transport path that faces the recording head; a gap sensor that is provided further upstream along the transport path than the recording head, and detects an error with respect to a gap between the sheet and recording head; a light irradiation device which is provided further downstream along the transport path than the recording head, and irradiates the ink coated on the sheet with light; and an advancing/retracting device which retracts the recording head to a position away from the transport path.