Inkjet Recording Apparatus Dust Collection via Conductive Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges with nozzle clogging due to paper dust accumulation, which existing paper dust removal techniques do not adequately address, leading to reduced printing quality and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a control section, conveyance section, negative pressure applying section, gap forming section, and voltage applying section to create a narrow gap with increased air flow velocity, allowing for effective collection of paper dust upstream of the recording head by applying voltages to conductive portions, thereby reducing dust attachment to the nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a paper dust collector is used to collect paper dust upstream of the recording head, then the amount of paper dust attaching to the recording head is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the paper dust collection function with the existing conveyance system by integrating a dust collector into the conveyance path. The dust collector is positioned to utilize the natural airflow and conveyance motion already present in the system, merging dust removal with the recording medium transport function rather than adding a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using air flow to remove paper dust from the recording medium surface. A blower or suction device creates airflow that passes over the recording medium, carrying paper dust away from the recording head area. This pneumatic approach eliminates the need for complex mechanical scraping or wiping mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the gap between the gap forming section and conveying surface is reduced to increase air flow velocity, then paper dust collection efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the gap distance as a critical parameter to achieve the desired air flow velocity. By carefully selecting and controlling the gap dimension, the system maximizes air flow speed for effective dust collection while keeping the gap large enough to avoid excessive manufacturing difficulty. The gap is designed to be a specific range that balances flow velocity requirements with manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap forming section is divided into multiple segments or zones along the conveyance direction, allowing different gap distances to be optimized for different positions. This segmentation enables the system to maintain appropriate gap dimensions throughout while managing manufacturing precision requirements through modular design.
3Reliability
If voltage is applied to the conductive portion to enhance paper dust collection, then the effectiveness of dust removal is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage application to the conductive portion is implemented periodically rather than continuously. The voltage is applied at specific intervals or during critical phases of the conveyance cycle when dust collection is most needed, then turned off or reduced. This periodic activation maintains dust collection effectiveness while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous voltage application.
Solution Approach 2:
Voltage is applied to the conductive portion in advance of the recording head's arrival, preparing the electrostatic field before paper dust becomes a problem. This preliminary voltage application allows dust to be collected or neutralized before it can attach to the recording head, reducing the need for continuous high-energy voltage application.
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 effectively reduces paper dust accumulation on the recording head, minimizing nozzle clogging and improving printing quality by ensuring that paper dust is collected before it reaches the nozzles, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the inkjet recording process.
Implementation Method 1
The negative pressure applying section applies negative pressure via a plurality of holes in the conveying surface to suck the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance section onto the conveying surface
Implementation Method 2
The first voltage applying section applies a voltage to the conductive portion. A distance across the narrow gap in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface is set such that air flowing into the narrow gap from surrounding space has a higher flow velocity in the narrow gap than before flowing into the narrow gap
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a control section, a conveyance section, a recording head, a negative pressure applying section, a gap forming section, and a first voltage applying section. The conveyance section conveys a recording medium placed on a conveying surface. The negative pressure applying section applies negative pressure to holes in the conveying surface to suck the recording medium onto the conveying surface. The gap forming section forms a narrow gap, with the conveying surface, further upstream in a conveyance direction of the recording medium than the recording head. The gap forming section is composed of at least a part of a conductive portion. The first voltage applying section applies a voltage to the conductive portion. The control section controls the first voltage applying section to apply the voltage to the conductive portion while the inkjet recording apparatus performs a specific process.