Hydrogen Torch Flame Treatment for Inkjet Print Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame treatment systems are incompatible with small-scale 'on-demand' manufacturing devices like inkjet printers due to their large fuel consumption and infrastructure requirements, making them impractical for use in retail settings or similar environments.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen torch-based flame treatment system integrated into an inkjet printer, which generates a flame using hydrogen and oxygen combustion, with a controller adjusting fuel flow to vary thermal output based on distance from the print surface, allowing for efficient flame treatment within the printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing flame treatment systems are used, then effective flame treatment for improving ink adhesion is achieved, but large fuel consumption and infrastructure requirements make them incompatible with small-scale inkjet printers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fuel parameter from hydrocarbon-based fuels (propane, natural gas) to hydrogen fuel. This parameter change reduces fuel consumption and eliminates the need for large-scale infrastructure while maintaining effective flame treatment for improving ink adhesion on polymer surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flame treatment function from large-scale industrial systems and integrates it into a compact inkjet printer system. By taking out only the essential flame treatment capability and combining it with hydrogen fuel cell technology, the system achieves effective flame treatment without requiring large fuel storage or complex infrastructure
2Reliability
If existing flame treatment systems are used, then effective flame treatment is achieved, but their size and infrastructure requirements make them impractical for on-demand manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flame treatment system with the inkjet printer into a single integrated device. By combining hydrogen storage, fuel cell generation, and flame treatment components within the printer housing, the system achieves compact size suitable for on-demand manufacturing while maintaining flame treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the inkjet printer simultaneously performs printing and flame treatment operations. The hydrogen fuel cell system serves multiple functions including fuel storage, energy generation, and flame production, reducing overall system complexity and size
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 effective flame treatment for improving ink adhesion and spreading on various materials within the inkjet printer, reducing streaking and smudging, and allowing for high-quality printing without the need for large-scale industrial infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
activating a hydrogen torch within the inkjet printer to generate a flame through a nozzle of the hydrogen torch
Data Source
AI summary
A method for applying flame treatments to a print surface on an object in an inkjet printer includes activating a hydrogen torch within the inkjet printer to generate a flame through a nozzle of the hydrogen torch and operating an actuator to move at least one of the print surface or the nozzle in a predetermined direction to apply the flame from the nozzle to the print surface. The method further includes adjusting a rate of fuel flow to the nozzle of the hydrogen torch to change a thermal output level of the flame with reference to a change in distance between the nozzle of the hydrogen torch and the print surface during the operating of the actuator.