A high-integration system for studying evolution law of printing machine emission particulate matters

Abstract

This invention discloses a highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emissions from printers. The system includes a housing and a paper feeding / discharging system and an environmental simulation system distributed within the housing. A collection system and a ventilation system are connected to the outside of the housing. This invention achieves dynamic paper feeding and discharging within the housing via a conveyor belt, enabling continuous particulate matter collection and reducing interference with the experimental environment. It employs a PLC control system for higher integration, allowing for the creation of a control panel through programming. This facilitates centralized control of various environmental variables within the equipment, such as temperature, humidity, light, airflow, and lightning, enabling environmental simulation. The system is highly integrated and suitable for office laser printers, featuring a dynamic paper feeding / discharging structure that greatly improves operational convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of printers, and in particular relates to a highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers. Background Technology

[0002] With economic development, printers have become common office tools and a major source of particulate pollutants in indoor environments. The particulate matter they produce poses a potential health hazard, making research on printer particulate matter a crucial area of ​​focus. Existing literature indicates that printer emissions primarily consist of fine particulate matter (mostly 20-200nm), composed of volatile organic compounds, toner particles, and trace amounts of metallic elements. While some research on laser printer particulate matter exists, many experimental setups are complex and cumbersome. For example, frequent disassembly and reassembly of the apparatus often require multiple particulate matter collections, which can disrupt the environment within the chamber. Furthermore, restoring the original experimental environment necessitates additional experimental steps. Additionally, existing experimental setups are often large, sometimes requiring an entire room to be used. This invention aims to design a highly integrated system capable of continuous particulate matter sampling, real-time online / offline analysis, and investigation of the evolution of laser printer particulate matter in a simulated atmospheric environment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and provide a highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers. An automatic paper feeding and discharging system is added inside the housing to improve particulate matter collection efficiency while minimizing interference with the experimental environment.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives and effects, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0005] A highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emissions from printers includes an equipment housing and a paper feeding / discharging system and an environmental simulation system distributed within the equipment housing. A collection system and a ventilation system are connected to the outside of the equipment housing.

[0006] The paper feeding and discharging system includes a printer, a first paper conveyor belt, and a second paper conveyor belt; one end of the first paper conveyor belt is connected to the paper inlet of the printer, and the other end is connected to a first paper storage box; one end of the second paper conveyor belt is connected to the paper outlet of the printer, and the other end is connected to a second paper storage box.

[0007] The environmental simulation system includes a PLC controller and connected to it a humidity controller, lightning simulator, temperature controller, ultraviolet lamps, and fans;

[0008] The collection system includes a concentration meter, a first flow meter, a first control valve, a filter assembly, and a first air pump connected in sequence; the input end of the concentration meter is connected to a gas collecting pipe, and the inner end of the gas collecting pipe passes through the equipment housing and is positioned above the paper outlet;

[0009] The ventilation system includes a zero air generator and a second flow meter. The zero air generator is connected to the equipment housing through a second control valve. One end of the second flow meter is connected to the equipment housing through a third control valve, and the other end is connected to a second air pump.

[0010] Furthermore, the filtration assembly includes a microgrid and a filter membrane. The microgrid serves as a carrier for collecting particulate matter and is used to prepare observation samples for an electron microscope. The filter membrane is used to filter particulate matter emitted by the printer and to detect the collected particulate matter using an elemental analyzer.

[0011] Furthermore, the PLC controller is also connected to a printer, a first paper conveyor belt, a second paper conveyor belt, a concentration meter, a first flow meter, a first control valve, a first air pump, a zero air generator, a second flow meter, a second control valve, a third control valve, and a second air pump.

[0012] Furthermore, the concentration meter and the first flow meter, the first flow meter and the first control valve, the first control valve and the filter assembly, and the filter assembly and the first air pump in the collection system are all connected by Teflon pipes.

[0013] Furthermore, the positive terminal of the lightning simulator is installed at the bottom of the device enclosure, and the negative terminal is installed at the top of the device enclosure.

[0014] Furthermore, ultraviolet lamps are distributed on the side and top walls of the equipment enclosure.

[0015] Furthermore, the equipment enclosure uses a stainless steel frame and plexiglass as the enclosure walls.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0017] This invention achieves dynamic paper feeding and dispensing within the equipment housing via a conveyor belt, enabling continuous particulate matter collection while minimizing interference with the experimental environment. Employing a PLC control system, it boasts higher integration and a programmable control panel for centralized control of various environmental variables within the equipment, such as temperature, humidity, light, airflow, and lightning, facilitating environmental simulation. Its high integration and suitability for office laser printers, coupled with a dynamic paper feeding and dispensing structure, significantly enhance operational convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the PLC controller system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "opening", "upper", "lower", "thickness", "top", "middle", "length", "inner", "around", etc., which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the components or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 3 The system shown is a highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emissions from printers. It includes a device housing 1 and a paper feeding / output system and an environmental simulation system distributed inside the device housing 1. A collection system and a ventilation system are connected to the outside of the device housing 1.

[0026] The paper feeding and discharging system includes a printer 101, a first paper conveyor belt 103, and a second paper conveyor belt 106; one end of the first paper conveyor belt 103 is connected to the paper inlet 102 of the printer 101, and the other end is connected to a first paper storage box 104; one end of the second paper conveyor belt 106 is connected to the paper outlet 105 of the printer 101, and the other end is connected to a second paper storage box 107.

[0027] The environmental simulation system includes a PLC controller 108 and connected to it a humidity controller 109, a lightning simulator 110, a temperature controller 111, ultraviolet lamps 112, and a fan 113. The positive terminal of the lightning simulator 110 is installed at the bottom of the equipment housing 1, and the negative terminal is installed at the top of the equipment housing 1. The ultraviolet lamps 112 are distributed on the side walls and top walls of the equipment housing 1, with four lamps on each side to provide light reaction conditions. They are centrally controlled by the PLC controller 108. The equipment housing 1 uses a stainless steel frame and uses plexiglass as the housing walls.

[0028] The collection system includes a concentration meter 21, a first flow meter 22, a first control valve 23, a filter assembly 24, and a first air pump 25 connected in sequence. The input end of the concentration meter 21 is connected to a gas collecting pipe, and the inner end of the gas collecting pipe passes through the equipment housing 1 and is positioned above the paper outlet 105. The filter assembly 24 includes a microgrid and a filter membrane. The microgrid serves as a carrier for collecting particulate matter and is used to prepare observation samples for an electron microscope. The filter membrane is used to filter particulate matter emitted by the printer and to detect the collected particulate matter using an elemental analyzer. The concentration meter 21 and the first flow meter 22, the first flow meter 22 and the first control valve 23, the first control valve 23 and the filter assembly 24, and the filter assembly 24 and the first air pump 25 in the collection system are all connected by Teflon pipes.

[0029] The ventilation system includes a zero air generator 32 and a second flow meter 34. The zero air generator 32 is connected to the equipment housing 1 through a second control valve 31. One end of the second flow meter 34 is connected to the equipment housing 1 through a third control valve 33, and the other end is connected to a second air pump 35.

[0030] The PLC controller 108 is also connected to a printer 101, a first paper conveyor belt 103, a second paper conveyor belt 106, a concentration meter 21, a first flow meter 22, a first control valve 23, a first air pump 25, a zero air generator 32, a second flow meter 34, a second control valve 31, a third control valve 33, and a second air pump 35.

[0031] Among them, Teflon pipes are used to connect the collection and ventilation systems, and particulate matter is less likely to adhere to the Teflon pipes, reducing experimental deviation; fan 113 is used to agitate the gas, simulating the air flow in a real environment; first air pump 25 and second air pump 35 are used to extract air during sample collection and ventilation, respectively; zero air generator 32 is used to supply pure air or stable inert gas during ventilation; first flow meter 22 is used to detect the gas flow rate during filtration; concentration meter 21 is used to detect the number and concentration of particulate matter in the gas during filtration; temperature controller 111, combined with temperature sensor and control panel, is used to control the start-up of refrigeration compressor and heater, realizing the control of equipment housing 1 Internal temperature control; humidity controller 109, combined with humidity sensor and control panel, is used to control the humidity inside equipment housing 1; lightning simulator 110 utilizes the arc discharge principle between the two electrodes of spark plug, with negative and positive electrodes placed on the top and bottom, and the 220V AC current is boosted to 200,000V through Tesla coil, which can break down 5cm of air, and the discharge is controlled by PLC controller 108; first paper conveyor belt 103 and second paper conveyor belt 106 are responsible for conveying paper, feeding and discharging paper, realizing dynamic (continuous) printing; first paper storage box 104 and second paper storage box 107 can store a large amount of paper needed for printing and paper printed by the printer.

[0032] In practical use:

[0033] For the collection system, the first air pump 25 draws air, the filter assembly 24 collects it, and the concentration and flow rate of the filtered gas are detected by the concentration meter 21 and the first flow meter 22. The particulate matter emitted by the printer is collected at fixed intervals. For the ventilation system, the gas in the laboratory can be restored to the state before the experiment, i.e., clean air or the same gas state as the surrounding environment, according to the experimental needs.

[0034] After each experimental phase, the filter membrane was removed and replaced with a new one. The morphology of the particulate matter sample, fabricated using a microgrid, was observed using a scanning electron microscope, and the elemental composition of the particulate matter was detected using an elemental analyzer. Data from multiple collections and analyses were compared and compiled into data tables and images to observe the evolution process of the particulate matter.

[0035] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0036] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emissions from printers, characterized in that: It includes an equipment housing (1) and a paper feeding and discharging system and an environmental simulation system distributed inside the equipment housing (1). A collection system and a ventilation system are connected to the outside of the equipment housing (1). The paper feeding and discharging system includes a printer (101), a first paper conveyor belt (103), and a second paper conveyor belt (106); one end of the first paper conveyor belt (103) is connected to the paper inlet (102) of the printer (101), and the other end is connected to a first paper storage box (104); one end of the second paper conveyor belt (106) is connected to the paper outlet (105) of the printer (101), and the other end is connected to a second paper storage box (107); The environmental simulation system includes a PLC controller (108) and connected to it a humidity controller (109), a lightning simulator (110), a temperature controller (111), an ultraviolet lamp (112), and a fan (113); The collection system includes a concentration meter (21), a first flow meter (22), a first control valve (23), a filter assembly (24), and a first air pump (25) connected in sequence; the input end of the concentration meter (21) is connected to a gas collection pipe, and the inner end of the gas collection pipe passes through the equipment housing (1) and is placed above the paper outlet (105); The ventilation system includes a zero air generator (32) and a second flow meter (34). The zero air generator (32) is connected to the equipment housing (1) through a second control valve (31). One end of the second flow meter (34) is connected to the equipment housing (1) through a third control valve (33), and the other end is connected to a second air pump (35).

2. The highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter assembly (24) includes a microgrid and a filter membrane. The microgrid serves as a carrier for collecting particulate matter and is used to prepare observation samples for an electron microscope. The filter membrane is used to filter particulate matter emitted by the printer and to detect the collected particulate matter using an elemental analyzer.

3. A highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PLC controller (108) is also connected to a printer (101), a first paper conveyor belt (103), a second paper conveyor belt (106), a concentration meter (21), a first flow meter (22), a first control valve (23), a first air pump (25), a zero air generator (32), a second flow meter (34), a second control valve (31), a third control valve (33), and a second air pump (35).

4. A highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The concentration meter (21) and the first flow meter (22), the first flow meter (22) and the first control valve (23), the first control valve (23) and the filter assembly (24), and the filter assembly (24) and the first air pump (25) in the collection system are all connected by Teflon pipes.

5. A highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive terminal of the lightning simulator (110) is installed at the bottom of the device housing (1), and the negative terminal is installed at the top of the device housing (1).

6. A highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers according to claim 1, characterized in that: Ultraviolet lamps (112) are distributed on the side and top walls of the equipment housing (1).

7. A highly integrated system for studying the evolution of particulate matter emitted by printers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The equipment enclosure (1) uses a stainless steel frame and plexiglass as the enclosure wall.

Images