Dual Particle Inkjet Printer Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems face difficulties in maintaining a high ratio of solid particles to liquid ink, leading to increased viscosity and suspension challenges, which affects the printing of saturated colors and surface properties, particularly in achieving chemical and wear resistance, and controlling light scattering properties.
Innovation Solution
A co-located liquid ejector and particle delivery system that independently controls the ejection and delivery of liquid droplets and particles, allowing for simultaneous or subsequent combination on a medium, with a curing device to fix the mixture, enabling precise control over particle-to-liquid ratios and surface interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If particles are added to liquid ink to achieve saturated colors and surface properties, then color intensity and surface texture are improved, but viscosity increases and suspension becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates particle delivery from liquid ink ejection into two independent subsystems: a liquid ejector for ink droplets and a particle delivery device for solid particles. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate optimally without the other's constraints, enabling high particle concentration in the final deposit without requiring high particle concentration in the liquid ink during ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid ink droplets are ejected first onto the medium, creating a predetermined pattern and providing a substrate for subsequent particle deposition. This preliminary action establishes the liquid framework before particles are added, allowing particles to be deposited only where needed without requiring them to be suspended in the liquid throughout the ejection process.
2Strength
If particles are added to liquid ink to achieve chemical and wear resistance, then surface durability is improved, but viscosity increases and affects ejection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection system is divided into two independent devices: a liquid ejector that handles only liquid ink without particles, and a particle delivery device that handles particle deposition separately. This segmentation eliminates the complexity of designing a single ejection system that must handle high-concentration particle-liquid mixtures, while still achieving durable surfaces through combined deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ink droplets serve as an intermediary medium that is ejected first, creating a substrate that receives particles afterward. This intermediary approach allows particles to be delivered without being part of the ejection process itself, simplifying the ejection system while maintaining surface durability through the particle-liquid combination.
3Productivity
If particles are delivered simultaneously with liquid droplets, then deposition efficiency is improved, but control over particle-to-liquid ratio becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives information about liquid droplet ejection and uses this feedback to control particle delivery timing and quantity. By monitoring liquid ejection events and responding with appropriate particle delivery commands, the system maintains precise particle-to-liquid ratios while operating at high deposition speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts particle delivery based on liquid ejection conditions, allowing the particle-to-liquid ratio to be optimized for each deposition event. This dynamic control enables simultaneous high-speed deposition of both liquid and particles while maintaining precise compositional control through real-time adjustments.
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 solution allows for enhanced chemical resistance, wear resistance, and light scattering properties by ensuring precise control over particle distribution and surface interactions, facilitating the printing of high-pigment colors and textured surfaces while overcoming viscosity issues.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejector configured to eject liquid droplets towards a medium
Implementation Method 2
A particle delivery device is configured to deliver particles to the medium
Implementation Method 3
A curing device is configured to cure the combination of the liquid droplets and the particles onto the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a liquid ejector configured to eject liquid droplets towards a medium. A particle delivery device is configured to deliver particles to the medium. The particles are configured to combine with at least some of the liquid droplets and change at least one property of the liquid droplets. The particle delivery device is configured to deliver the particles after or substantially simultaneously as the liquid droplets are ejected. A curing device is configured to cure the combination of the liquid droplets and the particles onto the medium. A controller is configured to independently control the liquid ejector and the particle delivery device.