Fluid Ejection Head Static Elimination for Ink Mist Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid ejection devices, such as inkjet recording devices, face issues with ink mist suspension and attraction, leading to soiling of internal components due to electrostatic charges, and existing solutions complicate the device construction and consume power.
Innovation Solution
A fluid ejection device equipped with a static elimination member or a charged member that can contactlessly eliminate electrical charges from the fluid ejection head and carriage, preventing ink mist suspension and attraction, and capturing ink mist without the need for ground connections or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrostatic attraction means or voltage application means are used to capture ink mist, then ink mist capture effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid ejection head itself generates the electrostatic field needed to capture ink mist by applying voltage to its conductive plate during normal operation. The system uses its own operational voltage to create a mist-capturing electric field between the conductive plate and ground, eliminating the need for separate attraction means or additional power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive plate on the fluid ejection head serves dual functions: it acts as both the ejection electrode for propelling ink droplets and the attraction electrode for capturing ink mist. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate electrodes or attraction devices, simplifying the overall device construction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If voltage is applied to conductive plate and mist absorption member to actively charge ink droplets and capture mist, then ink mist capture is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing operational voltage already present during fluid ejection to create the electrostatic field for mist capture. No additional power consumption is required beyond what is already being used for normal ejection operations, as the same voltage source serves both ejection and mist capture functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive plate is connected to ground through the carriage, creating an equipotential path. By controlling the voltage potential between the conductive plate and ground, the system establishes an electric field that captures ink mist without requiring additional power sources or complex voltage control circuits.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ground connection wires and electrodes are added to control potential of nozzle plate and surrounding members, then ink mist attraction control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage structure serves as both the support mechanism for the fluid ejection head and the ground connection path. By utilizing the existing carriage structure for electrical grounding, the system eliminates the need for separate ground wires and additional electrodes, thereby simplifying the overall construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage acts as an intermediary component that provides both mechanical support and electrical grounding. This dual role allows the system to control the potential of the conductive plate without requiring direct wire connections or additional grounding components, reducing construction 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 suppresses ink mist suspension and attraction, preventing soiling of internal components and simplifying device construction by eliminating the need for ground connections and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a static elimination member or a charged member affixed to either or both the fluid ejection head and the carriage; the static elimination member configured to contactlessly eliminate the electrical charge of an object
Implementation Method 2
the charged member having a polarized charge... capturing ink mist without the need for ground connections or power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid ejection device has a fluid ejection head that ejects fluid droplets onto printing paper; a carriage that carries the fluid ejection head; and a static elimination member or charged member affixed to either or both the fluid ejection head and carriage. The static elimination member is configured to contactlessly eliminate the electric charge of an object, and the charged member has a polarized charge.