Electrostatic Conveyer Belt Charging for Ink Mist Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly viscous ink used in image forming apparatuses experiences contamination issues due to dielectric polarization, leading to ink mist adhering to the nozzle face, which conventional charging control methods fail to effectively eliminate.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a recording head and conveyer belt that electrostatically conveys the recording medium, featuring a cleaning device to clean the nozzle face based on contamination thresholds and the number of ejected ink drops, and capable of forming images on both sides of the medium with reduced nozzle face cleaning frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conveyer belt is uniformly and positively charged to hold the paper due to electrostatic attraction force, then the paper holding capability is improved, but the ink drop landing position displacement and ink mist flowing back to the recording head occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer belt is divided into different charging zones: a first charging region with positive charge density and a second charging region with negative charge density. This local differentiation of charge polarity allows the belt to simultaneously hold paper through electrostatic attraction while reducing the electric field influence on ink drops, thereby resolving the contradiction between paper holding capability and ink drop placement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge density distribution on the conveyer belt is changed from uniform to non-uniform, with different polarities in different regions. By adjusting the charge density parameters (positive in the first region, negative in the second region), the system achieves both strong paper holding force and reduced ink drop displacement, transforming the electric field characteristics to resolve the technical contradiction.
2Manufacturing precision
If charges in an alternating charging pattern are applied to the conveyer belt, then the average electric potential on the surface of the paper is reduced, but the ink mist still adheres to the nozzle face due to dielectric polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer belt implements local quality differentiation by creating distinct charging regions with opposite polarities. The first charging region (positive) and second charging region (negative) are positioned at specific locations, creating a non-uniform electric field that reduces ink mist generation at the nozzle face while maintaining paper holding capability, thereby addressing the harmful effect of ink mist adhesion.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cleaning device operates frequently to remove ink mist contamination, then the nozzle face cleanliness is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by optimizing the charge density distribution on the conveyer belt before ink ejection occurs. By pre-configuring the electric field pattern (positive and negative charging regions) that minimizes ink mist generation, the need for frequent cleaning operations is reduced, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining nozzle cleanliness and avoiding increased device complexity.
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
Effectively reduces contamination on the nozzle face, improving image quality by efficiently managing ink mist during electrostatic conveyance, especially in double-sided printing.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyer configured to electrostatically hold and convey a recording-medium by a charge provided to the conveyer
Implementation Method 2
an ink drop ejected from the recording head is polarized by the influence of the electric field
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording head having a nozzle configured to eject a liquid drop of recording liquid so as to form an image on the recording-medium with a liquid drop ejected from the nozzle of the recording head; a conveyer configured to electrostatically hold and convey a recording-medium by a charge provided to the conveyer; and a cleaning device configured to clean a nozzle face of the recording head based on a tolerance threshold value of contamination of the nozzle face generated by the ejection of a liquid drop and the number of liquid drops ejected from the recording head for image formation.