Inkjet Apparatus Bellows Suction Air Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink viscosity increase over time, leading to clogging and reduced image quality, and inefficient disposal of flushing ink, which can cause contamination and require frequent filter changes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a waste ink container with a suction mechanism and a bellows-shaped suction air passage to separate ink mist from gas, enhancing ink collection efficiency and reducing contamination risks by using a partitioning member to direct airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional waste ink container is used, then the structure is simple, but ink mist contaminates the gas and requires frequent filter changes
Solution Approach 1:
The waste ink container is divided into multiple functional regions using partitioning members: a storage region for collecting ink mist and a gas passage region for airflow. This segmentation allows separate handling of ink collection and gas flow, improving ink collection efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning members are strategically positioned to create localized functional zones within the container. The first partitioning member separates the inlet into different flow paths, while the second partitioning member creates the storage region. This local differentiation of structure and function optimizes ink mist separation without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Reliability
If the suction air passage is straight, then the structure is simple, but ink mist is not effectively separated from gas
Solution Approach 1:
The suction air passage includes a bellows-shaped section with multiple folds instead of a straight path. This curved, folded structure increases the flow path length and creates turbulence that enhances ink mist separation from gas through centrifugal force and impaction, while the bellows shape compactly fits within the container space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows-shaped suction air passage is nested within the waste ink container, with the folded structure allowing the passage to be compactly integrated into the available space. The partitioning members are also nested within the container, creating a space-efficient design that maximizes separation functionality without increasing overall device footprint.
3Reliability
If flushing ink is not properly disposed of, then the disposal process is simple, but ink viscosity increases leading to clogging and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism extracts gas containing ink mist from the waste ink container through the suction opening and suction air passage. This extraction process removes ink mist that would otherwise accumulate and increase viscosity, preventing clogging and maintaining print quality. The separated ink mist is collected in the storage region for proper disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction mechanism operates continuously or periodically to maintain low ink viscosity in the waste ink container. By continuously removing ink mist through the suction air passage and collecting it in the storage region, the system prevents viscosity buildup that would lead to clogging, ensuring continuous reliable operation and reducing maintenance frequency.
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 improves ink collection efficiency, reduces contamination, and minimizes the frequency of filter changes by effectively separating ink mist from gas, thus maintaining print quality and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The suction mechanism sucks gas from the waste ink container. The gas sucked by the suction mechanism flows through an air passage formed inside the waste ink container.
Implementation Method 2
The suction air passage has a bellows section folded in a bellows shape. The bellows section has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The third portion causes the suction airflow to flow from the first portion to the second portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A bellows section of a suction air passage includes a first portion, a second portion located on one side in a first direction with respect to the first portion, and a third portion located on one side in a second direction with respect to the first portion and the second portion. A partitioning member includes a first partitioning section defining the first portion on the one side in the second direction, a second partitioning section defining the second portion on the one side in the second direction, and a third partitioning section defining the third portion on the other side in the second direction. The first partitioning section, the second partitioning section, and the third partitioning section overlap each other in the first direction.