Ink Degassing Tank Circulation for Nozzle Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink degassing efficiency due to the difficulty in replacing ink near the liquid surface with ink near the bottom surface, leading to reduced degassing efficiency and potential clogging of nozzles, especially when the ink capacity increases, and the use of stirrers can lead to durability issues and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A degassing device that includes a liquid tank, pressure decreasing device, circulation flow pass, and control device, which circulates ink through different positions in the tank to improve degassing efficiency by replacing ink near the liquid surface with ink near the bottom surface, using a perista or diaphragm pump for circulation, and controlling the degassing process to avoid pressure-related damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the ink tank capacity is increased, then the ink storage is improved, but the degassing efficiency is lowered due to difficulty in replacing ink near the liquid surface with ink near the bottom surface
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a bottom-mounted stirrer that attempts to lift ink from the bottom to the surface, the invention uses a surface-mounted stirrer that pushes ink from the surface downward. This inverted approach creates a circulation pattern where ink near the surface is actively mixed with ink from lower regions, effectively replacing surface ink with bottom ink and maintaining high degassing efficiency even in large-capacity tanks.
2Reliability
If a stirrer is used to degas the ink, then the degassing function is achieved, but the durability is lowered due to load from pressure decreasing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters by controlling the stirrer to rotate at different speeds at different times. The stirrer rotates at a first speed during initial operation and at a second speed (different from the first) during subsequent operations. This variable speed control reduces mechanical stress and wear on the stirrer, thereby improving durability while maintaining effective degassing function.
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
Enhances degassing efficiency, reduces noise, and prevents nozzle clogging by smoothly replacing ink layers, maintaining ink quality and reducing the risk of pump damage, thus ensuring consistent ink ejection.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure decreasing device decreases pressure in the liquid tank
Implementation Method 2
The circulation device circulates the liquid through the circulation flow pass
Data Source
AI summary
A degassing device removes air dissolved in liquid under a pressure decreased atmosphere. The degassing device includes a liquid tank, a pressure decreasing device, a circulation flow pass, and a control device. The liquid tank stores the liquid. The pressure decreasing device decreases pressure in the liquid tank. The circulation flow pass communicates different positions of the liquid tank. The circulation device circulates the liquid through the circulation flow pass. The control device drives the circulation device at least one of timing before driving the pressure decreasing device and timing before releasing the pressure decreased liquid tank to the atmosphere.