Image-Forming Ink Supply Channel Heating to Prevent Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink containing components with different melting points can separate and become non-uniform when stored in channels connecting a main tank and an ink head device, leading to potential clogging and image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that heats a specific region of the supply channel to a temperature between the melting points of the ink components, ensuring uniform distribution and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ink containing multiple components with different melting points is stored in a supply channel, then the ink can be supplied from the main tank to the ink head unit, but the components separate and become non-uniform due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature of the supply channel to be between the melting points of different ink components. This temperature parameter control prevents lower-melting-point components from solidifying while avoiding melting of higher-melting-point components, thereby maintaining component uniformity and preventing clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating a specific temperature zone in the supply channel that is different from both the main tank and the ink head unit. This localized temperature control ensures that the supply channel maintains conditions optimal for preventing component separation, while other parts of the system can operate at different temperatures suitable for their specific functions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supply channel is heated to prevent component separation, then ink component uniformity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter of the supply channel to fall within a specific range between the melting points of different ink components. This precise parameter control achieves component uniformity while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding excessive heating that would be required if the temperature were set above all melting points.
3Productivity
If the ink is heated in the ink head unit for ejection, then image formation is enabled, but the supply channel may experience component separation during non-heating periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distinguishes between different functional zones: the ink head unit is heated for ejection while the supply channel is maintained at an intermediate temperature. This local quality differentiation allows the supply channel to prevent component separation during non-ejection periods while the ink head unit performs heating for image formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the supply channel to a temperature that prevents component separation before ink is supplied to the ink head unit. This preliminary temperature control in the supply channel ensures uniform ink components are delivered to the ink head unit, preparing the system for subsequent ejection operations.
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
Prevents non-uniformity and clogging of ink components, maintaining image quality and apparatus functionality by ensuring uniform ink flow.
Implementation Method 1
a second heating device that heats the supply channel
Implementation Method 2
the first temperature being a melting point of a component having a lowest melting point in the plurality of types of components, the second temperature being a melting point of a component having a highest melting point
Implementation Method 3
an ink head unit that includes a first heating device to heat the ink and that ejects the heated ink
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a main tank (241) that stores ink; an ink head unit (240) that includes a first heating device (242) to heat the ink and that ejects the heated ink; a supply channel (R10) that supplies the ink from the main tank to the ink head unit; and a second heating device (246) that heats the supply channel. The second heating device starts heating at a predetermined timing such that a temperature of a specific region in the supply channel becomes equal to or more than a second temperature (T2) that is a melting point of a component having a highest melting point.