Inkjet Printer Bed with Adaptive Vacuum Suction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet printers face issues with uniform vacuum suction force application, leading to increased power consumption, noise, and potential damage to printing objects due to lack of adaptive suction control based on object weight and dimension, resulting in inefficient operation and potential surface deformation.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet printer bed with a sensor-controlled vacuum suction system that adjusts suction force based on the kind, weight, and dimension of the printing object, utilizing guide passages and a support frame to ensure stable fixation and uniform suction across the bed surface, minimizing unnecessary suction and preventing surface bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum suction force is uniformly applied to the entire bed surface, then printing objects are stably fixed, but power consumption increases and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of printing object fixationVSAvoidpower consumption of vacuum suction device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bed surface is divided into multiple regions with different suction forces. The controller selectively activates suction ports in different regions based on the size and position of the printing object, applying strong suction only where needed and weak or no suction in other areas, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable fixation of the printing object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum suction system transitions from a static uniform suction mode to a dynamic adaptive mode. The controller dynamically adjusts the suction force in different regions based on real-time detection of the printing object's characteristics, optimizing the balance between fixation stability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If larger vacuum suction force is applied to fix small printing objects, then fixation is improved, but system overload occurs and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation of small printing objectsVSAvoidnoise and system overload
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the bed are assigned different suction force levels according to the local needs. When a small printing object is placed on the bed, the controller activates only the necessary suction ports with appropriate force, avoiding system overload and excessive noise while ensuring reliable fixation of the small object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If bed interior space is enlarged for uniform suction, then suction coverage is improved, but bed surface bends or breaks under heavy objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform suction coverageVSAvoidstructural integrity of bed surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bed interior space is segmented into multiple independent suction regions with separate air passages and suction ports. This segmentation allows the structure to support heavy objects better while maintaining uniform suction coverage through coordinated activation of multiple smaller suction zones rather than relying on a single large interior space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If sensor control system is added to adjust suction force, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiency of vacuum suction systemVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor is integrated into the vacuum suction system to detect the presence, size, and position of printing objects. The sensor provides feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts the suction force in different regions accordingly. This feedback mechanism improves energy efficiency while keeping the control logic relatively simple through rule-based decision making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enables high-quality printing with reduced power consumption and noise, maintaining a stable and uniform vacuum suction force, preventing object damage and ensuring efficient operation by automatically adjusting suction according to the object's characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum state is formed in the guide space by the vacuum suction device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2351649B1Bed for printer and inkjet printer using the same
Publication Date: 2015.06.17 INKTEC CO LTD
  • EP2351649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2351649B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2351649B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ink jet printer bed in which a printing object placed on a bed is stably fixed by means of air suction and is printed, is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of upper plates having a plurality of air suction ports on their front surfaces; an intermediate plate which is formed of a guide space of which intermediate portion is open via its upper lower sides, the intermediate plate being assembled to a lower side of the upper plate; a lower plate which is assembled to a lower side of the intermediate portion and is formed of at least one air passage; a connection part which is assembled to each air passage of the lower plate and is connected with a suction pump; and a sensor which detects an air pressure in the interior of the bed and transmits a result of the detection to a controller which controls the operation of the suction pump, so the air pressure of the interior of the bed by the suction pump can be adjusted.