Dual Nozzle Inkjet Recording Apparatus for Mist Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in suppressing ink mist attachment to nozzle formations during ink ejection, particularly when using high amounts of permeation ink, which can shut off the escape route of ink mist and lead to contamination of the recording medium.
Innovation Solution
The recording apparatus employs a configuration with both first and second nozzle columns, where the second nozzle column ejects colorless permeation ink to support ink permeation on the opposite side of the recording medium, and the control unit manages the ejection of ink from both nozzle columns to prevent the formation of an air curtain that would otherwise shut off the escape route of ink mist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If permeation ink is ejected in large amounts to ensure sufficient ink permeation into the recording medium, then ink permeation efficiency is improved, but an air curtain is formed that shuts off the escape route of ink mist and causes ink mist to attach to the nozzle formations
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is segmented into two distinct nozzle columns: a first nozzle column for ejecting image-forming ink and a second nozzle column for ejecting permeation ink. This segmentation allows independent control of ink ejection timing and positioning, enabling the system to maintain sufficient permeation ink ejection while preventing air curtain formation that would trap image-forming ink mist at the nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension solution by positioning the second nozzle column at a location different from the first nozzle column in the scanning direction. This spatial separation allows the permeation ink to be ejected in advance, creating an optimized flow pattern that prevents air curtain formation while ensuring sufficient permeation, thereby resolving the contradiction between permeation efficiency and ink mist attachment prevention
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dummy ejection is performed to suppress ink mist attachment to nozzles, then ink mist escape is improved, but additional ejection cycles are required which reduces recording efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary ejection of permeation ink from the second nozzle column before ejecting image-forming ink from the first nozzle column. This preliminary action creates an optimized airflow pattern that prevents air curtain formation and ensures smooth escape routes for ink mist, eliminating the need for separate dummy ejection cycles and maintaining high recording efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of permeation ink ejection and ink mist management into a single coordinated ejection process. By controlling both nozzle columns simultaneously with optimized timing, the system achieves both ink mist suppression and efficient recording in one pass, eliminating the need for separate dummy ejection operations
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
This configuration effectively suppresses the attachment of ink mist to the nozzle formations, ensuring that the ink mist from the first ink can escape and preventing contamination, while maintaining efficient ink permeation into the recording medium.
Implementation Method 1
permeation ink for causing ink for image forming to sufficiently permeate into the face on the side opposite to the recording face
Implementation Method 2
an air stream which is generated along with a movement of ink droplets in the air forms an air curtain
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a scanning unit which is provided with a first nozzle column which can eject first ink in ink, and a second nozzle column which can eject colorless second ink in the ink as nozzle columns which are configured of a plurality of aligned nozzles which can eject the ink on a medium, and can move in a scanning direction; and a control unit which can control ejecting of the ink from the nozzle column, in which the first nozzle column and the second nozzle column are respectively configured of the nozzles which are aligned in a direction which intersects the scanning direction, and are arranged at an overlapping position when viewed in the scanning direction, and the control unit causes the second ink to be ejected from the second nozzle column while moving the scanning unit in the scanning direction, and causes the first ink to be ejected from the first nozzle column in the middle of the movement after ejecting of the second ink with respect to an ejecting region of the second ink in the middle of the movement.