Variable Light Source Drying Unit for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet type image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent light output from laser drying units, leading to drying irregularities and print density variations due to installation errors, temporal deterioration, and cooling irregularities, which affect the quality of printed images across different recording media.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet drying device with a drying unit using variable light sources, such as VCSEL elements, and a correction unit that adjusts the light output based on real-time measurements from an inline sensor to achieve a pre-decided light distribution, reducing errors associated with different recording media and improving print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a laser drying unit is used to dry liquid droplets on recording media, then drying speed and productivity are improved, but installation errors and temporal deterioration cause light output variations leading to drying irregularities and print density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where a reading unit measures the actual light output of each light source, and a correction unit adjusts the light amount based on these measurements to achieve a pre-decided target light distribution. This closed-loop control compensates for installation errors and temporal deterioration, maintaining reliable drying uniformity while preserving high drying speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters (light output intensity) of individual light sources based on measured deviations from target values. By adjusting the light amount of each light source according to its actual performance characteristics, the system compensates for variations caused by installation errors and aging, ensuring uniform drying across all recording media
2Reliability
If the light output of each light source is made variable for correction, then drying uniformity can be improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The reading unit serves multiple functions: it reads images formed on recording media and simultaneously measures the light output of light sources. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate measurement devices, while still achieving the goal of improving drying uniformity through variable light output control
Solution Approach 2:
The correction unit uses feedback from light amount information to automatically adjust light source output. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the need for complex manual calibration systems and installation adjustment mechanisms, achieving drying uniformity through automated control rather than mechanical precision
3Reliability
If light amount correction is performed using image reading data, then drying uniformity and print quality are improved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reading unit performs dual functions by simultaneously capturing image data and measuring light source output during normal operation. This eliminates the need for separate correction measurement steps, reducing processing time while maintaining print quality consistency through integrated multi-functional operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs light amount correction in advance before actual printing operations. By pre-adjusting the light output of each light source based on measured characteristics, the system eliminates the need for repeated corrections during printing, reducing overall processing time while ensuring consistent print 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 solution ensures consistent light distribution across the drying unit, minimizing drying irregularities and print density variations, thereby enhancing the quality and reliability of printed images without the need for medium-specific corrections or exchanges.
Implementation Method 1
a drying unit which includes a plurality of light sources emitting light to a liquid droplet ejected to a recording medium by a forming unit and drying the liquid droplet
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet drying device includes: a drying unit that includes a plurality of light sources emitting light to a liquid droplet ejected to a recording medium by a forming unit which ejects the liquid droplet to form an image and drying the image and in which an amount of light of each of the plurality of light sources is variable; and a correction unit that corrects the amount of light of each of the plurality of light sources so that a light amount distribution of the drying unit is within a range of a pre-decided target using light amount information obtained by reading the amount of light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources by a reading unit which reads the image formed on the recording medium by the forming unit.