Inkjet Printer Ink Chamber Obstruction Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing methods are hindered by the need to interrupt the printing process and use significant ink to remove obstructions like gas bubbles, which can lead to time-consuming purging and positioning errors, resulting in visible print artifacts.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the printing strategy by reducing the actuation frequency of the converter to prevent obstruction growth, allowing the ink chamber to continue printing without failure, and potentially removing the obstruction during idle periods or through targeted actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printing process is interrupted to remove obstructions like gas bubbles, then the ink chamber reliability is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to time-consuming purging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting obstructions like gas bubbles before they cause ink chamber failure, and modifying the printing strategy in advance to prevent failure. The system continuously monitors the ink chamber state and proactively adjusts actuation parameters or triggers purging operations before the obstruction grows to a critical size that would stop printing entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by implementing real-time monitoring and dynamic strategy modification that allows printing to continue uninterrupted. When obstructions are detected, the system adjusts the printing strategy on-the-fly rather than stopping, ensuring the printing process remains continuous and productive while still managing obstruction issues.
2Reliability
If purging operations are performed to remove obstructions, then the ink chamber reliability is improved, but significant ink is consumed in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstructions and modifies the printing strategy before purging is needed, minimizing the frequency and extent of purging operations. By detecting gas bubbles early and adjusting actuation parameters, the system prevents obstruction growth that would require extensive purging, thereby reducing ink loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the ink chamber state and using this information to dynamically adjust the printing strategy. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond to obstruction detection with targeted, minimal purging operations only when necessary, rather than performing routine purging that would waste ink.
3Reliability
If the printing process is interrupted for purging, then the ink chamber reliability is improved, but positioning errors occur leading to visible print artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and strategy modification before interruptions are necessary. By detecting obstructions early and adjusting printing parameters proactively, the system avoids complete printing interruptions that cause positioning errors. The printhead can maintain its position and continue printing with modified parameters, preserving alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing real-time, adaptive strategy modification rather than static pre-planned interruptions. The printing parameters are dynamically adjusted based on current ink chamber conditions, allowing the system to respond to obstructions without fixed interruption points that would cause positioning errors and visible artifacts.
4Reliability
If the actuation frequency is reduced to prevent obstruction growth, then the ink chamber reliability is improved, but the printing speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic parameter adjustment, modifying actuation frequency in real-time based on detected obstruction levels. When gas bubbles are present, the frequency is temporarily reduced to prevent obstruction growth and chamber failure. When the chamber is clear, the frequency returns to normal high-speed operation, maintaining both reliability and printing speed through adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting actuation frequency and other printing parameters based on real-time ink chamber conditions. This allows the system to optimize between reliability and speed by changing parameters adaptively rather than maintaining a fixed frequency, reducing speed only when necessary to manage obstructions.
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
Enables continuous printing without visible artifacts, reduces ink consumption, and minimizes positioning errors by modifying the printing strategy to manage obstructions, ensuring the ink chamber remains functional and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The printer comprises an ink chamber which is connected to a piezo-electrical converter. By actuating this converter, pressure waves are generated inside the ink chamber, said pressure waves in turn being able to cause ink drops to be ejected from the nozzle.
Implementation Method 2
a detection circuit has been provided to determine whether an obstruction, i.e., anything that hinders the inkdrop formation process, in particular a gas bubble, is present in the chamber while an image is being printed
Data Source
AI summary
A printing method for application in an inkjet printer containing a substantially closed ink chamber and a nozzle, said ink chamber being operationally connected to an electro-mechanical converter, which includes the steps of printing an image for the purposes of which the converter is actuated according to a predetermined printing strategy in order to eject ink drops from the nozzle for the formation of the image onto a carrier; detecting the presence of an obstruction, in particular a gas bubble, inside the ink chamber during printing: interrupting the printing process: modifying the printing strategy in such a way that the obstruction will not produce ink chamber failure while the process of printing the image continues by actuating the converter using the modified printing strategy: and continuing the printing process by application of the modified printing strategy. An inkjet printer which has been modified for using the present method is also provided.