Ink Collector Separation Walls for Flushing Mist Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink droplets ejected during flushing in inkjet recording apparatuses often turn into mist before reaching the ink receiver due to the conveyance belt's position, causing contamination inside the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a recording head, conveyance belt, ink collector, and suction portion, with the ink collector having ink receivers, suction paths, and ink separation walls to separate ink from airflows, allowing efficient collection of ink droplets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conveyance belt is disposed between the recording head and the ink receiver, then the recording medium can be conveyed for flushing operation, but the ink receiver cannot be disposed in the neighborhood of the ink ejection surface causing ink droplets to turn into mist
Solution Approach 1:
The ink collector is divided into multiple ink receivers (first ink receiver, second ink receiver, etc.) arranged in the sheet width direction, with each receiver responsible for collecting ink from specific nozzles. This segmentation allows the ink collector to effectively collect ink droplets across the entire width despite the conveyance belt being positioned between the recording head and the ink collector.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance belt with openings serves as an intermediary structure that allows ink droplets to pass through to the ink collector while maintaining the physical separation needed for the flushing operation. The belt's openings are positioned to align with the nozzles, enabling ink passage without requiring direct contact between the recording head and ink collector.
2Reliability
If the ink receiver is disposed in the neighborhood of the ink ejection surface, then substantially all ink droplets can be collected, but the conveyance belt prevents this positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The ink collector is positioned at a different spatial location (below the conveyance belt) rather than attempting to place ink receivers directly adjacent to the nozzles. By utilizing the vertical dimension and the conveyance belt's openings, the system achieves effective ink collection without direct proximity positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance belt serves multiple functions: it conveys the recording medium during flushing operation and simultaneously acts as a barrier with openings that guide ink droplets to the ink collector. This multi-functionality resolves the positioning conflict by making the belt an integral part of the ink collection system.
3Reliability
If flushing is performed with the conveyance belt in position, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but ink droplets turn into mist causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The ink collector with multiple receivers is positioned to intercept ink droplets before they can evaporate and form mist. By providing immediate collection capability at the point where ink passes through the conveyance belt, the system prevents the harmful transformation of liquid ink into contaminating mist.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance belt, which initially appears to be an obstacle preventing direct ink collection, is utilized as a beneficial element with openings that guide and focus ink droplets toward the ink collector. The belt's structure transforms from a potential source of contamination into a mechanism that enhances ink collection efficiency.
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
This configuration effectively collects ink droplets, preventing mist formation and reducing contamination within the apparatus, thereby maintaining cleanliness and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The suction portion sucks air in the ink collector
Implementation Method 2
ink separation walls that are provided in the merging chamber and are impinged on by airflows that have passed through the first flow paths so that the ink contained in the airflows is separated from the airflows
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a conveyance belt, a control portion, an ink collector, and a suction portion. The ink collector includes a plurality of ink receivers that receives ink that has passed through openings of the conveyance belt during execution of flushing and a suction path leading from each of the ink receivers to the suction portion. The suction path includes a plurality of first flow paths each connected to each of the plurality of ink receivers, a merging chamber in which the plurality of first flow paths merges together and that is linked to the suction portion, and ink separation walls that are provided in the merging chamber and are impinged on by airflows that have passed through the first flow paths so that the ink contained in the airflows is separated from the airflows.