Inkjet Head Deaeration Membrane for Stable Aqueous Ink Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording apparatuses face issues with bubble entrapment in the ink flow path, leading to insufficient ink ejection performance, increased ink consumption during suction recovery processes, and decreased productivity due to ejection failures and irregular ejections.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a gas permeable membrane with a thickness of 0.01 mm or more between the liquid retention chamber and decompression chamber, ensuring the surface tension of the aqueous ink and surface energy of the membrane satisfy the relationship γi-γm≤11, enhancing bubble removal efficiency through increased wettability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deaeration unit including a hollow fiber module or filter is introduced into the ink supply path, then bubble trapping capability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bubble trapping function and decompression function into a single integrated deaeration unit. The hollow fiber module serves both as a bubble trap and as a decompression mechanism, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective bubble removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fiber module is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a filter for bubble trapping, provides a large surface area for gas exchange, and serves as a decompression chamber. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the ink supply system.
2Reliability
If a deaerator including a partition formed of hollow fiber membrane is incorporated into the recording head, then bubble removal is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to membrane strength insufficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hollow fiber membrane structure that leverages the flexibility and permeability of thin film materials. The hollow fiber configuration provides structural support while maintaining gas permeability, solving the contradiction between membrane strength and bubble removal efficiency. The flexible shell structure can be easily formed and assembled compared to rigid alternatives.
3Reliability
If suction recovery process is performed multiple times to remove bubbles, then ejection stability is improved, but ink consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The deaeration unit performs bubble removal in advance before the ink reaches the ejection orifice. By pre-deaerating the ink in the decompression chamber, the system eliminates the need for multiple subsequent suction recovery processes, reducing ink consumption and maintaining productivity while ensuring stable ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The decompression chamber acts as an intermediary between the ink supply and the ejection orifice. It provides a dedicated space where bubbles are removed from the ink before ejection, preventing bubble interference with the ejection process and eliminating the need for repeated suction recovery operations.
4Strength
If gas permeable partition wall is used instead of membrane, then strength is improved, but bubble discharge effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a hollow fiber membrane with controlled pore structures that provide both mechanical strength and gas permeability. The porous structure allows efficient bubble discharge while the fiber configuration provides structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between strength and bubble removal effectiveness.
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 stabilizes ink ejection by minimizing the number of suction recovery processes, reducing ink consumption and improving productivity by effectively removing the residual, thereby enhancing the ejection stability of the ink.
Implementation Method 1
a gas permeable membrane having a thickness of 0.01 mm or more and arranged at a boundary between the liquid retention chamber and the decompression chamber
Implementation Method 2
ensuring the surface tension of the aqueous ink and surface energy of the membrane satisfy the relationship γi-γm≤11, enhancing bubble removal efficiency through increased wettability
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 that can supply the aqueous ink to the pressure chamber; a decompression chamber, which is arranged adjacent to the liquid retention chamber, and which is configured to be capable of decompressing an inside of the liquid retention chamber; and a gas permeable membrane having a thickness of 0.01 mm or more and arranged at a boundary between the liquid retention chamber and the decompression chamber.