Ink Mist Collection via Gas Barrier in Suction Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink mist in ink jet printing apparatuses tends to adhere to the inner surfaces of suction paths, leading to clogging and reduced image quality due to the lack of effective collection methods, as existing systems struggle to prevent ink mist from coalescing and sticking to these surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An ink mist collection apparatus is designed with a suction unit and an inner discharge unit that creates a layer of airflow near the inner wall of the suction path, preventing ink mist from adhering to the surface by discharging gas into the suction path, thereby maintaining efficient collection performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a suction port is used to collect ink mist by sucking air above the print medium, then ink mist collection is achieved, but ink mist adheres to the inner surface of the suction path and causes clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink mist collection efficiencyVSAvoidsuction path畅通性

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gas discharge unit that releases gas into the suction path as an intermediary substance. This gas layer acts as a mediator between the ink mist and the suction path inner surface, preventing direct contact and adhesion of ink mist to the path walls while maintaining the suction flow for ink mist collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert gas environment within the suction path by discharging gas along the inner surface. This inert atmosphere prevents ink mist particles from adhering to the suction path walls by maintaining a gas-filled protective layer, effectively isolating the ink mist from the solid surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Quantity of substance

If ink mist is suctioned into the suction path, then ink mist is collected, but ink mist coalesces and sticks onto the inner surface of the suction path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink mist collection amountVSAvoidink mist adhesion and coalescence

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharged gas serves as an intermediary layer between the ink mist particles and the suction path inner surface. This gas barrier prevents ink mist from coalescing and adhering to the path walls while allowing the suction flow to continue collecting ink mist effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of ink mist adhesion into a beneficial protective gas layer. By intentionally discharging gas into the suction path, the system creates a protective atmosphere that prevents the harmful adhesion and coalescence of ink mist while maintaining collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If a large block of ink mist coalesced on the inner surface of the suction path, then suction path clogging occurs, but image quality degrades due to ink mist dropping on the print medium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction path畅通性VSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gas discharge unit performs preliminary anti-action by creating a protective gas layer before ink mist can adhere to the suction path inner surface. This preventive measure stops the coalescence and adhesion process at its inception, preventing both clogging and the formation of ink mist blocks that could later drop onto the print medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The discharged gas acts as a continuous intermediary barrier that prevents ink mist from contacting and adhering to the suction path inner surface. This intermediary layer maintains suction path畅通性 and prevents the formation of large ink mist blocks that could compromise image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively suppresses ink mist adhesion to the inner surfaces of the suction path, ensuring continuous ink ejection and maintaining image quality by enhancing the airflow within the collection system.

Implementation Method 1

a suction unit configured to suck air above the print medium with the ink mist, from a suction port through a suction path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

an inner discharge unit configured to discharge gas from an inner discharge port into the inside of the suction path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas discharge creating airflow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9381746B2Ink mist collection apparatus, ink jet printing apparatus, and ink mist collection method

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 CANON KK

AI summary

An ink mist collection apparatus capable of suppressing adhesion of ink mist to an inner surface of a suction path, an ink jet printing apparatus, and an ink mist collection method are provided. Air above a print medium is sucked with the ink mist from a suction port through a suction path, the suction port being located downstream with respect to a print head in a conveying direction of the print medium and being opposite to the print medium. Gas is discharged from a discharge port into the inside of the suction path.