Variable Cross-Section Conveyor Belt Holes for Inkjet Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing devices face inaccuracies in image positioning due to air flows created between sheet- or plate-shaped recording media during transport, leading to increased air and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a conveyor belt featuring holes of variable cross-sectional area, where a larger inlet cross-sectional area at the front ensures a strong holding force on the recording medium, while a smaller outlet cross-sectional area at the rear reduces air consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If holes in the conveyor belt have large cross-sectional area to provide strong holding force, then holding force is improved, but air consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is designed with holes that have different cross-sectional areas at different locations: larger cross-sectional area at the front (inlet) to provide strong holding force for the recording medium, and smaller cross-sectional area at the rear (outlet) to reduce air consumption. This local variation in hole geometry allows simultaneous optimization of both holding force and air consumption.
2Force
If holes in the conveyor belt have large cross-sectional area, then holding force is improved, but air flow increases causing ink drop deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The holes are designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area along the flow direction, with larger area at the inlet to maximize holding force and smaller area at the outlet to minimize harmful air flows. This local quality variation ensures that the holding function is optimized at the inlet while the harmful air flow effect is minimized at the outlet where ink drops are deposited.
3Loss of substance
If holes have variable cross-sectional area, then air consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional area parameter of the holes is varied continuously or in steps along the flow direction, transitioning from a larger value at the inlet to a smaller value at the outlet. This parameter change approach allows optimization of air consumption while the variable geometry can be manufactured using standard techniques such as drilling angled holes or using molds with varying cross-sections.
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 solution effectively reduces air consumption while maintaining a strong holding force on the recording medium, thereby improving print quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure unit (152) which is configured to generate a negative pressure in the plurality of holes (131) of the transport belt by pumping out a fluid, in particular by pumping out air, so that a holding force is caused on the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
Relatively high air flows can be created in these holes by the vacuum pump
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device is described, which is adapted to transport a recording medium on a transport belt through a printing unit. The conveyor belt has a plurality of holes that have a first cross-sectional area towards the recording medium. Air is pumped out of the holes by means of a negative pressure unit in order to build up a negative pressure in the holes. In the process, the fluid is pumped over a second cross-sectional area that is smaller as compared to the first cross-sectional area. As a result, relatively high holding forces on the recording medium can be achieved with relatively low fluid consumption.