UV Inkjet Printer Cutting Head Platen Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face issues when ultraviolet light irradiation devices are added without proper contrivances, leading to ink adherence on the platen, which interferes with the cutting operation due to cured ink.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a supporting member, guide rail, ink head, cutting head, and ultraviolet light irradiation device, where the ultraviolet light is applied only after the cutting operation, and a sliding groove with high lubricity for the cutter, along with a suction mechanism to secure the medium, preventing ink curing on the platen during cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light irradiation device is added to the ink jet recording apparatus, then ink curability is improved, but ink adheres to the platen and interferes with cutting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the ultraviolet light irradiation timing to occur only after the cutting operation is completed. The control unit determines whether to irradiate ultraviolet light based on the cutting operation status, ensuring that ink is not cured on the platen during cutting, thus preventing ink adhesion while maintaining ink curability when needed
2Reliability
If ultraviolet light is irradiated over the entire region of the recording medium, then ink curing is improved, but unnecessary irradiation occurs during cutting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively irradiating ultraviolet light only on the ink jet recording apparatus when cutting operation is not being performed. The control unit partially activates the ultraviolet light irradiation device based on operational conditions, avoiding unnecessary full-region irradiation during cutting while ensuring adequate curing during printing operations
3Productivity
If cutting head moves over ink discharged on recording medium, then cutting operation is performed, but ink adheres to platen and prevents proper cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary action by determining the cutting operation status before allowing the cutting head to move. It prevents the cutting operation from proceeding when ink is present on the platen, or delays ultraviolet light irradiation until after cutting is complete, ensuring cutting precision is not compromised by ink adhesion
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
Enables effective printing and cutting operations by preventing ink curing on the platen, ensuring smooth cutter movement and precise cutting without interference from cured ink.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light irradiation device coupled to the ink head for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet light curable ink discharged on the medium
Implementation Method 2
the sliding groove comprises a sliding member for receiving the cutter during the cutting operation and having a greater lubricity for the cutter than for the supporting member
Implementation Method 3
a suction device for attracting the medium to the supporting member via the plurality of holes
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus capable of performing printing and cutting operations is presented. The printing apparatus including a supporting member for supporting a medium, an ink head comprising a nozzle for discharging ultraviolet light curable ink onto the medium and coupled to the guide rail in a freely moveable manner for moving the ink head in the second direction, a cutting head comprising a cutter for cutting the medium and coupled to the guide rail in a freely moveable manner for moving the cutting head in the second direction, and an ultraviolet light irradiation device coupled to the ink head for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet light curable ink discharged on the medium during the printing operation, wherein at least a portion of the medium is irradiated by the ultraviolet light after a region of the recording medium is cut by the cutter.