Ink Supply Channel Switching to Prevent Printhead Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with ink clogging and ejection failure due to non-uniform ink components and foreign substances, leading to image defects and potential clogging of the ink head.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a main tank, an ink head, a first supply channel, a second supply channel, a discharge channel, and a switching valve that allows the connection to be switched between the second supply channel and the discharge channel, enabling the discharge of ink without passing through the ink head, thereby preventing clogging and image defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink is supplied from the main tank through the first supply channel to the ink head, then the ink head can perform image formation, but non-uniform ink or ink containing foreign substances may cause image defects or clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is divided into multiple channels: a first supply channel for normal ink supply to the ink head, a second supply channel for discharging non-uniform ink, and a third supply channel for supplying uniform ink. This segmentation allows the system to separate the function of image formation from the function of removing problematic ink, thereby preventing clogging while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
A switching valve acts as an intermediary device that controls the flow path of ink, directing it to different channels based on the operational state. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to switch between normal operation and discharge mode, preventing harmful ink from reaching the ink head while maintaining normal image formation capability.
2Loss of substance
If foreign substances are precipitated and taken out to the outside, then some foreign substance can be removed, but some foreign substance remains and flows in the ink channel
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts non-uniform ink containing foreign substances from the main ink supply path by diverting it through the second supply channel to a discharge destination. This extraction prevents the problematic ink from entering the ink head and circulating through the ink channels, thereby maintaining ink channel cleanliness more effectively than simple precipitation methods.
3Reliability
If vibration or stirring is applied to clear clogging, then ink adhesion can be eliminated, but the ink component remains non-uniform and may still cause image defects
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to clean and reuse the non-uniform ink through vibration or stirring, the system extracts the problematic ink entirely from the supply path and directs it to the discharge channel. This approach eliminates both the clogging issue and the image quality problem caused by non-uniform ink components.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main tank that stores an ink, an ink head that ejects the ink, a first supply channel connected to the main tank, a second supply channel for supplying the ink from the first supply channel to the ink head, and a discharge channel for discharging the ink from the first supply channel without allowing the ink to pass through the ink head. The second supply channel is provided with a first supply valve, and the discharge channel is provided with a discharge valve.