Inkjet Recording Apparatus Gap Dust Removal
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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, recording head, gap forming section, and negative pressure applying section to create a narrow gap with adjustable dimensions and increased air flow velocity, allowing effective removal of paper dust by adjusting the gap distance and applying negative pressure during maintenance, thereby preventing dust attachment to 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 improved, but the structure complexity increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dust collection function from a complex structured collector and implements it through a simple negative pressure applying section that creates airflow in the narrow gap, removing the need for vertical walls and downstream walls
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by applying negative pressure to the narrow gap to generate airflow that removes paper dust, replacing mechanical structural solutions with fluid dynamics-based dust removal
2Speed
If gap distance is reduced to increase air flow velocity, then dust removal efficiency is improved, but the risk of dust attachment to recording head increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the gap distance based on operational mode: maintaining a first distance during image formation and reducing to a second distance during maintenance, allowing optimal air flow velocity without compromising recording head protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gap distance parameter between operational modes to control air flow velocity, ensuring dust removal efficiency during maintenance while preventing dust attachment during normal operation
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 prevents paper dust from reaching the recording head, reducing clogging and maintenance requirements, while ensuring consistent printing quality by enhancing air flow velocity and dust removal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The negative pressure applying section is configured to apply negative pressure to the narrow gap
Implementation Method 2
air flowing into the narrow gap from surrounding space to have a higher flow velocity in the narrow gap
Implementation Method 3
The gap forming section is disposed upstream of the recording head in a conveyance direction of the recording medium to form a narrow gap with the conveying surface of the conveyance section
Implementation Method 4
The conveyance section has a conveying surface and is configured to convey the recording medium while the recording medium is placed on the conveying surface
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a control section, a conveyance section, a recording head, a gap forming section, and a negative pressure applying section. The gap forming section is disposed upstream of the recording head in a conveyance direction of a recording medium to form a narrow gap with a conveying surface of the conveyance section. The negative pressure applying section applies negative pressure to the narrow gap. The control section adjusts a distance across the narrow gap in the direction perpendicular to the conveying surface to a first distance in image formation. Upon receiving an instruction to clean the gap forming section, the control section adjusts the distance across the narrow gap in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface to a second distance that is greater than the first distance and causes the negative pressure applying section to start applying negative pressure to the narrow gap.