Ink Circulation Deaeration Layout for Stable Jetting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink-jet printing apparatuses struggle to sufficiently suppress the quantity of gas mixed into the ink, leading to unsatisfactory discharge from the discharge head.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus is equipped with a first deaeration unit in the return flow channel and a second deaeration unit in the replenishment flow channel to remove gas from the ink, ensuring it is adequately suppressed before reaching the discharge head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If two deaeration modules are used in the ink circulation system, then the gas removal capability is improved, but the discharge performance from the head remains unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas content in inkVSAvoiddischarge performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ink circulation system into multiple flow channels (supply flow channel, circulation flow channel, replenishment flow channel) and places deaeration units at specific locations in each channel. This segmentation allows targeted gas removal at different stages of ink circulation, ensuring that gas is removed both before ink reaches the head and from returned ink, thereby resolving the contradiction between gas removal capability and discharge performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent positions a deaeration unit in the supply flow channel upstream of the head, performing preliminary gas removal before ink is supplied to the discharge head. This preliminary action ensures that ink entering the head has already been deaerated, directly improving discharge performance while maintaining the gas removal capability provided by additional deaeration units in other channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If deaeration modules are placed in multiple locations, then gas removal effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas content in inkVSAvoiddeaeration system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple deaeration units that perform the same deaeration function but are positioned in different flow channels (supply, circulation, replenishment). Each unit serves the same purpose of removing gas from ink, but their distributed placement across multiple channels creates a multi-functional system that addresses gas removal at various stages, improving overall effectiveness without requiring fundamentally different deaeration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 maintains satisfactory ink discharge by effectively reducing gas content in the supply tank, thereby improving the reliability of the discharge process.

Implementation Method 1

a first deaeration unit arranged in the return flow channel, the first deaeration unit removing a gas from the ink flowing in the return flow channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeaeration:

Implementation Method 2

a second deaeration unit arranged in the replenishment flow channel, and the second deaeration unit removing the gas from the ink flowing the replenishment flow channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeaeration:

Data Source

PatentEP4527626B1Ink-jet printing apparatus and ink deaeration method
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD
  • EP4527626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4527626B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4527626B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The deaeration module 61 is arranged in the return pipe 461 for returning the ink from the collection tank 451 to the supply tank 441, and this deaeration module 61 removes the gas from the ink, which flows in the pipe 461. The deaeration module 62 is arranged in the pipe 471 for replenishing the ink from the buffer tank 42 to the collection tank 451, and this deaeration module 62 removes the gas from the ink flowing in the pipe 471.