Inkjet Recording Head Grounding via Conductive Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink splashes and contamination of the recording head due to static electricity, leading to accuracy degradation and potential defects in the recording process.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus actively charges the recording medium with a negative charge and grounds the recording head via a conductive frame unit, creating a potential difference that attracts ink and prevents contamination, while also using ion generators and electrostatic sensors to maintain optimal charge levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the recording medium is transferred using a guide roll, then the recording medium can be moved through the apparatus, but static electricity is generated causing ink splashes and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording medium transferVSAvoidstatic electricity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a corona discharge unit to generate ions that neutralize the static electricity generated during recording medium transfer. By introducing a controlled ionization process, the harmful static charge is converted into a beneficial neutralization effect, preventing ink splashes and head contamination while maintaining continuous medium feed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Manufacturing precision

If a conductive pattern is provided inside the transfer belt to prevent electric field generation, then satellites are directed toward the paper sheet, but floating ink mist attaches to the recording head causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesatellite drop directionVSAvoidink mist contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air blowing unit as an intermediary mechanism positioned between the transfer belt and recording head. This unit directs airflow to prevent floating ink mist from reaching the recording head, while the conductive pattern continues to guide satellite drops toward the paper sheet, resolving the contamination issue without sacrificing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air is blown onto the recording medium to prevent peeling charge, then ion generation is inhibited, but recording accuracy may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeeling chargeVSAvoidrecording accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies air blowing locally at specific positions where peeling charge occurs during medium transfer, rather than across the entire recording area. This localized approach neutralizes static charge at critical points while leaving the recording zones unaffected, maintaining both charge prevention and recording accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 ink splashes and ensures high accuracy in recording by maintaining a stable charge difference between the recording head and medium, reducing contamination and potential electrical shocks.

Implementation Method 1

an ion generator for generating ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon generation: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

a conductive frame unit for supporting the recording heads, the recording head and the conductive frame unit having a continuity relation, and the recording heads being grounded via the conductive frame unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

when the recording medium is transferred, the recording medium may rub against a guide roll or part of the apparatus to move a charge from one side to the other to cause a potential difference, thereby possibly charging the recording medium with so-called triboelectricity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatics: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 4

an electrostatic sensor for detecting a charge level of the recording medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic detection: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP3395580B1Inkjet recording apparatus and recording method using the same
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 MIYAKOSHI PRINTING MACHINERY
  • EP3395580B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3395580B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)
  • EP3395580B1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)

AI summary

To provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of preventing ink splashes and contamination of recording heads and recording with high accuracy. The present invention is directed to an inkjet recording apparatus 100 which records on a transferred recording medium X by an inkjet scheme, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes guide rolls R for guiding the recording medium X, the recording medium X negatively charged, recording units 1, 2, 3, and 4 formed of a plurality of recording heads 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a for spraying ink onto the recording medium X, and a conductive frame unit 11 for supporting the recording heads 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a, the recording heads 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a and the conductive frame unit 11 having a continuity relation and the recording heads 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a being grounded via the conductive frame unit 11.