Inkjet Recording Head Dust Removal via Differential Negative Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges with nozzle clogging due to paper dust, which existing paper dust removal techniques do not adequately address, leading to inefficient inkjet recording processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a negative pressure applying section with an airflow chamber and a guide member having holes of varying pressure zones to effectively collect paper dust by creating differential air flow velocities, preventing dust from reaching the recording head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a paper dust collector with vertical wall and downstream wall is used, then paper dust collection is achieved, but the recording head still experiences nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies negative pressure through an airflow chamber with multiple holes to create air flow that actively removes paper dust from the recording medium surface. This pneumatic approach generates controlled air currents that sweep dust away from the nozzle path, directly addressing the limitation of passive collection methods that allow dust to reach the recording head.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow chamber features different hole distributions in different regions: a first region upstream of the head-facing region with holes for stronger negative pressure to collect dust before it reaches the nozzle, and a second region including the head-facing region with holes for gentler negative pressure. This localized differentiation optimizes dust removal at each stage of the conveyance path.
2Productivity
If uniform negative pressure is applied across all holes in the airflow chamber, then simple control is achieved, but dust removal efficiency near the recording head is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow chamber incorporates region-specific hole configurations: the first region upstream of the head-facing region has holes arranged to provide stronger negative pressure for aggressive dust collection, while the second region including the head-facing region has holes configured for gentler negative pressure. This spatial variation in hole distribution creates differentiated pressure zones without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow chamber is functionally segmented into multiple regions with distinct hole patterns. The first region handles preliminary dust collection with stronger suction, while the second region provides final dust removal near the recording head with controlled, gentler suction. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
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 solution significantly reduces paper dust attachment to the nozzles, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the inkjet recording process by effectively removing dust before it reaches the recording head.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow chamber that has an upper wall having a plurality of holes and in which negative pressure for the recording medium is created
Implementation Method 2
The negative pressure applying section sucks the recording medium by the negative pressure through the holes in the upper wall and the holes in the conveying surface
Implementation Method 3
Negative pressure applied through a plurality of first holes among the holes in the upper wall is greater than negative pressure applied through a plurality of second holes among the holes in the upper wall
Implementation Method 4
creating differential air flow velocities, preventing dust from reaching the recording head
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a conveyance section, and a negative pressure applying section. The recording head ejects ink onto a recording medium. The conveyance section conveys the recording medium placed on a conveying surface thereof to the recording head. The negative pressure applying section includes an airflow chamber and causes the recording medium to be sucked onto the conveying surface by negative pressure through holes in an upper wall of the airflow chamber and holes in the conveying surface. Negative pressure applied through first holes in a first region is greater than that applied through second holes in a second region. The first region is located upstream of a head facing region in a conveyance direction of the recording medium. The second region is located downstream of the first region in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and includes the head facing region.