Printer Ink Mist Collection Nozzle Airflow Layout to Prevent Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink mist adhesion onto collection nozzles in printers leads to maintenance costs and contamination of printing media due to imbalanced airflow pressures from suction and air blowing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A printer configuration with separate spaces on either side of the collection nozzle generates distinct airflow layers by pressure from only one side, using the nozzle's suction to create moderate airflow layers that prevent ink mist adhesion on the nozzle walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressure is given from both sides to the first air outlet to generate airflow, then air can be blown out efficiently from the air outlet, but the airflow becomes disturbed complicatedly and ink mist adheres onto the inner wall of the collection nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing pressure to the first air outlet from only one side (the side away from the ejection head) rather than from both sides. This asymmetric pressure application generates a stable airflow that does not disturb the suction flow from the collection nozzle, thereby preventing ink mist adhesion on the nozzle inner wall while maintaining air blowing efficiency.
2Productivity
If pressure is given from both sides to the second air outlet to generate airflow, then air can be blown out efficiently from the air outlet, but the airflow becomes disturbed complicatedly and ink mist adheres onto the inner wall of the collection nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing pressure to the second air outlet from only one side (the side away from the ejection head) rather than from both sides. This asymmetric pressure application generates a stable airflow that does not disturb the suction flow from the collection nozzle, thereby preventing ink mist adhesion on the nozzle inner wall while maintaining air blowing efficiency.
3Productivity
If air is blown out from air outlets to ensure efficient mist collection, then mist collection efficiency is improved, but maintenance cost increases due to ink deposition on the collection nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in pressure application to air outlets, which prevents ink mist adhesion on the collection nozzle inner wall. By eliminating the harmful effect of ink deposition, the system maintains mist collection efficiency while significantly reducing maintenance requirements and costs associated with cleaning the collection nozzle.
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 suppresses ink mist adhesion on the collection nozzle, reducing maintenance needs and preventing contamination of the printing medium.
Implementation Method 1
a first airflow going from the one side toward the other side opposite to the one side in the first space is generated by giving pressure for generating the first airflow to the first space from only the other side among the one side and the other side, a second airflow going from the one side toward the other side in the second space is generated by giving pressure for generating the second airflow to the second space from only the other side among the one side and the other side, the pressure for generating the first airflow and the pressure for generating the second airflow are generated by the collection nozzle sucking from the air intake opening
Data Source
AI summary
The first space and the second space are provided on both the sides of the collection nozzle. The first airflow going from the one side toward the other side opposite to the one side in the first space is generated by giving the pressure for generating the first airflow to the first space from only the other side among the one side and the other side. Further, the second airflow going from the one side toward the other side in the second space is generated by giving the pressure for generating the second airflow to the second space from only the other side among the one side and the other side. At that time, the pressure for generating the first airflow and the pressure for generating the second airflow are generated by the collection nozzle sucking from the air intake opening. Then, the first airflow having flowed out from the first space toward the other side flows into the collection nozzle from the air intake opening, and the second airflow having flowed out from the second space toward the other side flows into the collection nozzle from the air intake opening.