Device for Controlling a Printing Temperature of an Ink in a Print Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing systems struggle to maintain the ink temperature within a narrow, predetermined range (25-38°C) due to ambient temperature fluctuations, leading to performance losses and requiring precise heating and cooling control.
Innovation Solution
A device with a heat exchanger that includes a first channel for ink and a second channel for a temperature control fluid, a chiller to heat and cool the fluid, and at least one heating element at the heat exchanger to rapidly set and maintain the ink temperature within the desired range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is used to heat the ink, then the ink temperature can be increased to the predetermined range, but the heating time becomes excessively long and the temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is pre-installed at the heat exchanger location before the ink needs heating. When heating is required, the heating element immediately activates to rapidly raise the ink temperature to the predetermined range, eliminating the need for prolonged preheating periods that would occur with conventional delayed heating approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
A heating element is introduced as an intermediary component at the heat exchanger to provide direct, localized heating to the ink. This intermediary heating mechanism enables rapid temperature adjustment without requiring extended heating time, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving target temperature and minimizing preheating duration.
2Temperature
If the heater is switched on and off to maintain temperature, then the ink can be kept within the temperature range, but the temperature control precision deteriorates due to activation/deactivation duration limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors ink temperature and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the heating element activation duration accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise temperature control by dynamically adjusting heating duration based on real-time temperature measurements, overcoming the precision limitations of fixed on/off cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating control system transitions from static on/off switching to dynamic control where the activation duration is continuously adjusted based on temperature feedback. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain precise temperature control by optimizing the heating cycle duration according to actual temperature conditions, thereby resolving the precision deterioration issue.
3Temperature
If a radiant segment with large surface area is used for cooling, then cooling efficiency improves, but the system becomes ineffective when ambient temperature exceeds 34 degrees Celsius
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling element is introduced as an intermediary component at the heat exchanger to provide active cooling capability. This intermediary cooling mechanism enables the system to maintain effective temperature control regardless of ambient temperature conditions, overcoming the limitation of passive radiant cooling that fails when ambient temperature exceeds the target ink temperature range.
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 efficiently and precisely controls the ink temperature, reducing preheating time and maintaining ink quality, even after extended downtimes, thereby enhancing printing performance and reducing ink consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical current is supplied to the at least one heating element in order to heat the temperature control fluid and the ink
Implementation Method 2
A device (500) for controlling a printing temperature of an ink (5) in a print head (3) has a heat exchanger (2)
Implementation Method 3
A chiller (1) is provided to heat and/or cool the temperature control fluid (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling a printing temperature of an ink in a print head of a system for inkjet printing includes a heat exchanger with a first channel for ink and a second channel for a temperature control fluid; a chiller for heating and/or cooling the temperature control fluid; an ink circuit that is configured to pump ink through the heat exchanger and into the print head; and a temperature control fluid circuit that is configured to pump the temperature control fluid through the chiller and the heat exchanger. The device is configured to heat and/or cool the temperature control fluid with the chiller such that a temperature of the ink is set within a predetermined temperature range. At least one heating element is provided at the heat exchanger to heat the temperature control fluid and the ink to more rapidly set the ink within the predetermined temperature range.