Ink Jet Head Bubble Venting Without Wax Membrane Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording apparatuses face issues with bubble accumulation in the recording head, leading to insufficient ink ejection performance and increased downtime due to suction recovery processes, especially when using inks containing wax for improved abrasion resistance, resulting in ejection failure and decreased productivity.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a decompression chamber adjacent to the liquid retention chamber, with a gas permeable membrane and a controlled temperature relationship (Tw-Ti ≥ 10°C) to suppress wax fusion and enhance bubble discharge efficiency, ensuring stable ink ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas permeable membrane is used to discharge bubbles from the liquid retention chamber, then bubble discharge efficiency is improved, but wax particles may clog the membrane pores causing ejection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the ink in the liquid retention chamber by controlling heating conditions. By maintaining the ink temperature below the melting point of wax particles, the system prevents wax from melting and clogging the gas permeable membrane, while still allowing effective bubble discharge through the membrane pores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different temperature conditions to different regions: the ink in the liquid retention chamber is kept cooler (below wax melting point) to prevent clogging, while the ink in the ejection channels and pressure chambers is heated to optimal ejection temperature. This localized temperature control allows both protection of the membrane and effective ejection.
2Reliability
If the ink temperature in the liquid retention chamber is increased to improve ejection performance, then ink ejection stability is improved, but wax particles may melt and clog the gas permeable membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter by establishing a specific temperature range for the liquid retention chamber ink (below wax melting point) and a higher temperature range for ejection (above wax melting point but controlled to prevent excessive clogging). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ejection stability and wax clogging prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ink system into two temperature zones: the liquid retention chamber operates at a lower temperature to prevent wax melting, while the ejection path (pressure chamber and nozzles) operates at a higher temperature for stable ejection. This spatial segmentation of temperature conditions allows both requirements to be met simultaneously.
3Reliability
If suction recovery process is performed to remove bubbles from the recording head, then bubble accumulation is reduced, but recording downtime increases decreasing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary bubble removal action during the ink replacement operation itself. By purging the ink flow path and liquid retention chamber with fresh ink when replacing the ink cartridge or storage bag, bubbles are removed proactively before they can accumulate and cause ejection failures, eliminating the need for separate suction recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous bubble-free ink flow by integrating bubble removal into the normal ink supply operation. The gas permeable membrane continuously discharges bubbles as they form in the liquid retention chamber, ensuring uninterrupted stable ejection without requiring periodic downtime for suction recovery processes.
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 ejection stability and reduces downtime by effectively preventing wax clogging of the gas permeable membrane, maintaining consistent ink jet performance even with wax-containing inks.
Implementation Method 1
a gas permeable membrane arranged at a boundary between the liquid retention chamber and the decompression chamber
Implementation Method 2
a decompression chamber, which is arranged adjacent to an upper side in a vertical direction of the liquid retention chamber, and which is configured to decompress an inside of the liquid retention chamber
Implementation Method 3
A melting point Tw (° C.) of the wax particle and a maximum temperature Ti (° C.) of the aqueous ink in the liquid retention chamber satisfy a relationship of the following formula (1): Tw-Ti ≥ 10°C
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method of recording an image through use of an ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head including: an ejection orifice configured to eject an aqueous ink; a pressure chamber in communication with the ejection orifice; an ejection element, which is arranged in the pressure chamber, and which is configured to generate energy for ejecting the aqueous ink from the ejection orifice; a liquid retention chamber configured to supply the aqueous ink to the pressure chamber, a decompression chamber, which is arranged adjacent to an upper side in a vertical direction of the liquid retention chamber, and which is configured to decompress an inside of the liquid retention chamber; and a gas permeable membrane arranged at a boundary between the liquid retention chamber and the decompression chamber. The ink jet recording method includes applying an aqueous ink ejected from the ejection orifice to a recording medium.