Inkjet Carriage Control for Non-Margin Recording Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-forming apparatuses face challenges in performing non-margin recording operations without contaminating the recording medium, particularly due to ink droplets being deposited on the platen and causing contamination of the back surface of subsequent media, and the complexity of accurately positioning and installing ink absorbers to prevent this contamination.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a control device that manages the movement of the recording head and medium feeding mechanism, including a waiting-time control to allow ink mist to settle and a speed control to reduce air flow, ensuring that the recording head is returned to the start position only after ink mist has fallen and converted to ink mass, thereby minimizing contamination risks during non-margin recording operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-margin recording operation is performed without top and bottom margins, then the effective use of recording medium is improved, but ink droplets are deposited on the platen causing contamination of the back surface of subsequent media
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (ink absorber) is extracted from the platen structure and positioned separately below it. This allows the ink absorber to be removed from the platen without interfering with the recording medium passage, while still effectively absorbing excess ink droplets that fall on the platen during non-margin recording operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink absorber acts as an intermediary element between the platen and the recording medium. It intercepts and absorbs ink droplets that would otherwise be deposited on the platen and potentially contaminate the back surface of subsequent recording media, thus protecting the recording medium from contamination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ink absorber is accurately positioned within platen to prevent contact with recording medium, then contamination is reduced, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ink absorber is extracted from the platen structure and positioned in a separate location below the platen. This eliminates the need for precise positioning within the platen and complex installation procedures, while still maintaining effective ink absorption functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the ink absorber above or within the platen surface to prevent contact with recording medium, the solution inverts the approach by positioning the ink absorber below the platen. This alternative positioning achieves the same contamination prevention goal while simplifying installation and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If large spacing between upstream and downstream walls is provided for effective ink absorption, then ink droplet absorption is improved, but recording medium may deflect and contact ink absorber surface
Solution Approach 1:
The ink absorber is positioned below the platen rather than above it, inverting the traditional arrangement. This allows large spacing between platen walls for effective ink absorption while preventing recording medium deflection contact with the ink absorber surface, as the ink absorber is now located on the opposite side of the platen from the recording medium path.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink absorber is moved from a horizontal positioning (within the platen width) to a vertical positioning (below the platen). This dimensional change allows the platen walls to be spaced farther apart for better ink absorption while the ink absorber remains positioned in a location that does not interfere with the recording medium passage.
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 approach effectively reduces the risk of contamination by allowing ink mist to settle before subsequent movements, enabling high-quality image formation with small ink droplets while preventing ink mist from reaching the recording medium, thus maintaining the quality of the printed surface.
Implementation Method 1
an ink absorber for absorbing the ink droplets is accommodated
Implementation Method 2
The leading and trailing end portions of the recording medium are supported by the ribs... to prevent a contact of the upper surface of the ink absorber with the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus is capable of performing a non-margin recording operation without a margin on a recording medium and providing a waiting time between a moment of termination of a movement of a carriage in one of opposite directions and a moment of initiation of a subsequent movement of the carriage in the other direction, if the non-margin recording operation is performed during the movement of the carriage in the above-indicated one direction. The carriage is moved in the other direction (returned) at a speed lower than that of the movement in the above-indicated one direction, so that the back surface of an edge portion (e.g., leading end portion) of the recording medium is protected from contamination with an ink mist produced from the ink droplets. The waiting time and the return speed of the carriage can be manually selected or changed by using an operator's control panel, so that the non-margin recording operation can be performed in a desired manner (in a high-image-quality mode or a high-speed mode).