Radiant heat control with adjustable reflective element

• US 9,126,434 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Jessen, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAVINI, STEPHEN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/161,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20150202892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 341/67, 341/72, 342/74, 343/81, 428/34, 428/220, 359/267, 359/290
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 23/0406 by radiation B41F23/0436 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/00212 Controlling the irradiation means, e.g. image-based controlling of the irradiation zone or control of the duration or intensity of the irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/00216 using infrared [IR] radiation or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/00218 Constructional details of the irradiation means, e.g. radiation source attached to reciprocating print head assembly or shutter means provided on the radiation source
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/00242 Controlling the temperature of the conduction means
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 13/10 Arrangements for feeding, heating or supporting materials; Controlling movement, tension or position of materials heating processes F26B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/28 by radiation, e.g. from the sun
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 reflective
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/11 involving infrared radiation

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for improved radiant heat control within a dryer of a printing system with reflective elements. One embodiment is a dryer of a printing system. The drying includes a radiant energy source configured to apply heat to a print medium. The dryer also includes a reflective element installed between the radiant energy source and the print medium. The reflective element is configured to have varying levels of reflectance. The dryer also includes a controller configured to determine an amount of heat to supply to a region of the print medium, and to adjust an amount of reflectance of the reflective element based on the determined amount of heat.

Claims

1. A dryer of a printing system comprising:

a radiant energy source configured to apply heat to a print medium;

a reflective element installed between the radiant energy source and the print medium, and configured to have varying levels of reflectance; and

a controller configured to determine an amount of heat to supply to a region of the print medium, and to adjust an amount of reflectance of the reflective element based on the determined amount of heat.

2. The dryer of claim 1 further comprising:

a transparent structure installed between the radiant energy source and the print medium, and configured to prevent specific wavelengths from reaching the print medium.

3. The dryer of claim 1 further comprising:

a transparent structure installed between the radiant energy source and the print medium; and

a nozzle configured to circulate a fluid in a horizontal conduit between the transparent material and the reflective element to cool the reflective element.

4. The dryer of claim 3 wherein:

the transparent material includes a vertical conduit and a nozzle configured to selectively circulate the fluid downward through the vertical conduit and toward the print medium.

5. The dryer of claim 1 further comprising:

a transparent structure comprised of sheet glass and installed between the radiant energy source and the print medium; and

a grounded conductive layer disposed between the transparent material and the reflective element that is configured to prevent electromagnetic noise.

6. The dryer of claim 1 further comprising:

a sensor communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to measure a temperature within the dryer;

wherein the controller directs the reflective element based on input from the sensor.

7. The dryer of claim 1 wherein:

the reflective element includes a plurality of independently controlled segments.

8. The dryer of claim 1 further comprising:

a conductive drum configured to transport the print medium;

wherein the reflective element comprises a curved reflective element having a curvature similar to that of the conductive drum.

9. The dryer of claim 8 wherein:

the curved reflective element is disposed below the radiant energy source and above the conductive drum.

10. The dryer of claim 8 wherein:

the radiant energy source is located within the conductive drum; and

the curved reflective element is disposed within the conductive drum and between the radiant energy source and the inner radius of the conductive drum.

11. A method comprising:

operating a heating element within an interior of a dryer to apply heat onto a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior;

determining an amount of heat to supply to one or more regions of the web; and

adjusting an amount of reflectance of a reflective element based on the determined amount of heat.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

eliminating specific wavelengths of radiant energy from reaching the web with a filter adjacent to the reflective element.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

circulating a fluid in a horizontal conduit between the reflective element and the filter to direct fluid at the surface of the reflective element.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

circulating a fluid in a vertical conduit in the filter to direct fluid at the surface of the web.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

reducing electromagnetic noise at the reflective element with a grounded conductive layer of indium tin oxide on the reflective element.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are configured for performing a method comprising:

operating a heating element within an interior of a dryer to apply heat onto a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior;

determining an amount of heat to supply to one or more regions of the web; and

adjusting an amount of reflectance of a reflective element based on the determined amount of heat.

17. The medium of claim 16 further comprising:

eliminating specific wavelengths of radiant energy from reaching the web with a filter adjacent to the reflective element.

18. The medium of claim 17 further comprising:

circulating a fluid in a horizontal conduit between the reflective element and the filter to direct fluid at the surface of the reflective element.

19. The medium of claim 17 further comprising:

circulating a fluid in a vertical conduit in the filter to direct fluid at the surface of the web.

20. The medium of claim 16 further comprising:

reducing electromagnetic noise at the reflective element with a grounded conductive layer of indium tin oxide on the reflective element.