Inkjet Printing Machine Backward Ink Flow Air Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing machines face issues with residual air bubbles in the ink route during initial filling, leading to poor ink discharge due to air remaining at horizontal and bent parts, which requires multiple pressurized cleaning cycles, wasting ink and causing inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing machine design that includes a controller to manage valve operations and pump usage, allowing ink to flow backward and move air into the ink cartridge, eliminating the need for air exhaustion at the inkjet head, along with an adjuster to enhance flow speed and an exhauster to prevent air bubbles from mixing with ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is sent to the inkjet head for exhaustion during initial filling, then air removal is achieved, but residual air bubbles remain at horizontal and bent parts causing poor ink discharge
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sending air to the inkjet head for exhaustion, the patent inverts the approach by sending ink backward to the ink cartridge to carry air with it. The controller opens the first valve and closes the second valve, allowing ink to flow from the downstream side toward the ink cartridge, which carries air bubbles away from horizontal and bent parts of the ink route.
2Reliability
If multiple pressurized cleaning cycles are performed to remove air bubbles, then ink discharge quality improves, but ink wastage increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs air removal during the initial filling operation itself, before normal printing begins. By incorporating air exhaustion into the initial filling sequence through valve control and backward ink flow, the system eliminates the need for subsequent pressurized cleaning cycles, thereby preventing ink wastage while ensuring reliable ink discharge from the start.
3Productivity
If pump operates continuously during initial filling, then ink supply to inkjet head is maintained, but air bubbles are not effectively removed from the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic valve switching during the initial filling process. The controller alternates between opening/closing the first valve and opening/closing the second valve, creating periodic backward and forward ink flow. This periodic action allows air bubbles to be carried back to the ink cartridge during backward flow phases, while maintaining overall ink supply to the inkjet head during forward flow phases.
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 solution reduces residual air bubbles in the ink route, minimizing ink wastage and the need for repeated cleaning, resulting in improved ink discharge efficiency and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pump that is disposed on the branch route, and used to send ink from the ink cartridge to the inkjet head
Implementation Method 2
a valve that is disposed on a direct route which is a route between the branching point and the joining point, and opens and closes a channel for a fluid within the direct route
Implementation Method 3
a controller that (i) closes the valve and drives the pump in initial filling of the inkjet head with ink
Implementation Method 4
along with an adjuster to enhance flow speed
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling unit causes a valve and a pump to perform the following operations: (i) the controlling unit closes the valve and drives the pump in initial filling of an inkjet head with ink; (ii) the controlling unit stops the pump and opens the valve on or after a time point when a tip of ink within an ink route reaches a prescribed position, which is higher than that of the ink cartridge and on an inkjet head side viewed from a joining joint part; (iii) the controlling unit closes the valve after the ink within the ink route flows backward to move air in a direct route into the ink cartridge; and (iv) the controlling unit drives the pump to fill the inkjet head with ink.