Electrostatic Imaging Member for High-Resolution Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous ink jet printing systems face limitations in resolution due to the difficulty in creating small high-voltage electrodes and the complexity and expense of controlling them.
Innovation Solution
A printing system utilizing an electrostatic imaging member, such as a photoconductor belt, to generate a latent image that electrostatically controls ink drop deflection, allowing for high-resolution printing without the need for complex and expensive electrode control hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-voltage electrodes are used to deflect ink drops in continuous inkjet printing, then ink drop deflection control is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty increases and resolution is limited due to difficulty in making small electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical electrode deflection system with an electrostatic field-based system. Instead of using physical high-voltage electrodes to deflect ink drops, the invention uses an electrostatic imaging member that creates electrostatic fields to control ink drop paths. This substitution eliminates the manufacturing difficulties associated with creating small precision electrodes while maintaining effective ink drop deflection control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrostatic imaging member as an intermediary between the control system and the ink drops. This intermediary generates the necessary electrostatic fields without requiring direct contact or proximity high-voltage electrodes, thereby solving the manufacturing precision issue while achieving the desired ink drop control.
2Ease of operation
If high-voltage electrodes are used for ink drop deflection, then ink jet printing control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to complex control hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical control hardware with an electrostatic imaging system. The electrostatic imaging member can be controlled through standard imaging techniques (such as light modulation for photoconductors) rather than requiring complex high-voltage electrode control circuitry. This substitution maintains full ink jet control capability while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If traditional electrode systems are used, then ink drop deflection is achieved, but the system requires complex and expensive hardware for electrode control
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic imaging member serves as an intermediary that provides reliable ink drop deflection control through electrostatic fields without requiring complex hardware. The system uses well-established electrostatic imaging technology (such as photoconductive drums used in laser printing) to generate the necessary field patterns, thereby maintaining reliability while simplifying the overall hardware architecture.
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
Enables high-resolution continuous inkjet printing with simplified control of ink drop paths, allowing for efficient printing on wide media sizes and extending the life of the photoconductor member by avoiding physical contact.
Implementation Method 1
A latent electrostatic image is generated on an electrostatic imaging member. The electrostatic charges on the electrostatic imaging member cause electrostatic deflection of ink drops ejected from a printhead
Implementation Method 2
The photoconductor member comprises a continuous photoconductor belt that rotates about a pair of rollers. One or both of the rollers may be powered to cause the photoconductor belt to rotate or revolve in a known manner. In another example the photoconductor belt may be a photoconductor roller, cylinder, drum, or the like. The photoconductor member has a surface that is able to hold an electrostatic charge and in which portions of the electrostatic charge may be dissipated in a controlled manner by shining light onto a portion of the photoconductor surface
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one example, there is provided a printing system (100). The printing system comprises a printhead receiver (111) to receive a printhead (112), the printhead to eject printing fluid drops (114) from an array of printhead nozzles to a first printing fluid receiving zone (118). The printing system further comprises an electrostatic imaging member (104) to store a latent image comprising charged and non-charged portions representing an image to be printed. Part of the electrostatic imaging member is arranged in close proximity (116) to the array of nozzles such that ejected printing fluid drops are electrostatically deflected by charged portions of the electrostatic imaging member to a second printing fluid receiving zone (130).