Ink Collector Suction Path Layout to Prevent Ink Mist During Flushing
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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, control portion, ink collector, and suction portion, where the ink collector is opposed to the recording head via the conveyance belt to collect ink droplets, and a suction portion sucks air to absorb ink through void spaces surrounded by an ink absorber.
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 patent introduces a suction path that extends in the depth direction (third dimension) from the ink receiver through the conveyance belt to the suction portion. This dimensional extension allows the ink receiver to be positioned opposite the recording head while maintaining effective ink collection, as the suction path penetrates through the conveyance belt structure to reach the ink ejection surface neighborhood.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction path acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the ink receiver and the ink ejection surface. By introducing this intermediate structure that passes through the conveyance belt, the system enables effective ink collection without requiring direct adjacency between the ink receiver and recording head, thus preventing ink mist contamination while maintaining flushing operation.
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 the ink receiver from being disposed in the neighborhood of the ink ejection surface
Solution Approach 1:
The suction path extends in the depth direction through the conveyance belt, utilizing the third dimension to achieve ink collection efficiency. This allows the ink receiver to be positioned opposite the recording head (maintaining reliability) while the suction path penetrates through the conveyance belt structure, effectively reducing the structural complexity constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction path is segmented into multiple portions: a first suction path from the ink receiver through the conveyance belt, and a second suction path from the conveyance belt to the suction portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining ink collection efficiency while simplifying the overall structural arrangement.
3Reliability
If flushing is performed with the conveyance belt in place, then nozzle clogging can be prevented, but ink droplets turn into mist causing contamination inside the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The suction path serves as an intermediary structure that enables effective ink collection during flushing operation. By providing this intermediate pathway through the conveyance belt, the system maintains nozzle function (reliability) while preventing ink mist contamination, as the suction path captures ink droplets before they can evaporate and contaminate the apparatus interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction portion creates a negative pressure field that draws ink droplets through the suction path and into the ink receiver. This pneumatic mechanism ensures reliable ink collection during flushing operation while preventing ink mist formation, as the suction force captures ink droplets before they can disperse and contaminate the apparatus.
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 during flushing, preventing mist formation and reducing contamination within the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a suction path that is formed in the waste ink tank and leads from each of the ink receivers to the suction portion, and an ink absorber that is filled in the waste ink tank and absorbs the ink sucked from the ink receivers. The suction path is formed by void spaces surrounded by the ink absorber.
Implementation Method 2
The suction portion sucks air in the ink collector.
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, a waste ink tank disposed below the ink receivers, a suction path that is formed in the waste ink tank and leads from each of the ink receivers to the suction portion, and an ink absorber that is filled in the waste ink tank and absorbs the ink sucked from the ink receivers. The suction path is formed by void spaces surrounded by the ink absorber.