Ink Supplier Flow Regulation for Stable Tank Temperature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing apparatuses face issues with ink agglomeration due to solvent evaporation at nozzles, leading to low ink levels in circulation circuits, which can result in rapid temperature changes and inefficient ink supply when external tanks are replaced or pumps malfunction.
Innovation Solution
An ink supplier system with a controller that regulates ink flow rates based on temperature and storage amounts, using multiple transport units and sensors to maintain ink temperature within a predetermined range, ensuring stable ink supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the external tank is changed when ink is exhausted, then the ink supply can be replenished, but the ink level in the circulation circuit becomes low causing temperature regulation failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring the ink level in the circulation circuit and proactively replenishing ink from the external tank before the ink level becomes critically low. The controller regulates the replenishment flow rate to maintain both sufficient ink level and proper temperature, preventing the temperature regulation failure that would occur if replenishment waited until the ink was exhausted.
2Reliability
If the pump malfunctions and is fixed within a certain period, then the printing process can continue, but the ink level in the circulation circuit becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the ink level in the circulation circuit and adjusting the replenishment operation accordingly. When pump malfunction occurs and is fixed, the feedback mechanism detects the changing ink level and activates the replenishment operation to restore the ink level to the appropriate range, ensuring both printing continuity and sufficient ink supply.
3Productivity
If ink is supplied at high flow rate after restarting supply, then the ink level can be replenished quickly, but the ink temperature decreases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the replenishment flow rate adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically regulates the flow rate based on real-time feedback from temperature and level sensors, increasing it when needed for rapid replenishment while decreasing it to prevent excessive temperature drop, thus optimizing both productivity and temperature control.
4Productivity
If the ink circulation circuit operates continuously, then printing can proceed without interruption, but ink agglomeration occurs due to solvent evaporation at nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements discarding and recovering by establishing a circulation circuit that continuously recovers ink from the nozzle and returns it to the circulation system. This prevents ink loss and maintains stable composition by preventing prolonged exposure to air at the nozzle, thereby suppressing solvent evaporation and agglomeration while enabling continuous printing operation.
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 system effectively maintains ink temperature and level in the circulation circuit, preventing rapid temperature drops and ensuring continuous, efficient ink supply to the heads.
Implementation Method 1
an ink heater that heats the ink in the ink tank
Implementation Method 2
a temperature detector that detects an in-tank temperature corresponding to the temperature of the ink in the ink tank or in the ink supply route
Implementation Method 3
a storage amount detector that detects an ink storage amount in the ink tank
Implementation Method 4
an ink replenishment pump interposed in the ink replenishment route
Data Source
AI summary
An ink supplier includes an ink tank, an ink supply route and an ink feedback route along which ink is circulated between the ink tank and a head, an ink heater that heats the ink in the ink tank, and an external tank storing the ink to be supplied to the ink tank. A controller allows the ink to be replenished from the external tank to the ink tank in a flow rate regulation mode in which a flow rate is regulated in such a manner that the temperature of the ink in the ink tank falls within a predetermined temperature range. A regulation flow rate for ink replenishment in the flow rate regulation mode is calculated on the basis of at least the temperature in the ink tank and an ink storage amount.