Ink-jet Printer Head Cooler Mist Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face contamination and print image quality deterioration due to ink mist, and existing solutions increase the printer's size with dedicated mist collectors.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet printer design that uses a head cooler with a blower and suction unit to collect ink mist within the head holder, controlling air flow rates to suction ink mist without a dedicated collector, thereby reducing contamination and size increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dedicated mist collector is provided to collect ink mist, then contamination inside the printer and deterioration in print image quality are reduced, but the printer size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mist collection function with the existing head cooler by integrating a suction unit into the head holder structure. The head holder, which already houses the ink-jet head and cooling mechanisms, is modified to include a suction unit that draws ink mist through an opening into the head holder space, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated mist collector and thus avoiding additional printer size increase
Solution Approach 2:
The head holder is transformed into a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs ink-jet head housing, cooling air generation, and ink mist collection. By making the head holder universal for multiple functions, the patent avoids adding dedicated single-function components that would increase printer size
2Manufacturing precision
If a dedicated mist collector is provided to collect ink mist, then print image quality is improved, but the printer size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mist collection function with the head cooler system by integrating a suction unit into the head holder. This combination allows ink mist to be drawn into the head holder where it does not interfere with the printing process, thereby maintaining print image quality without requiring additional space for a separate mist collector
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air flow rate is increased to suction ink mist effectively, then contamination is reduced, but cooling air volume required for ink-jet head may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of air flow rates by the controller, which adjusts the blow air flow rate from the blower and the suction air flow rate from the suction unit based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal balance between ink mist suction effectiveness and ink-jet head cooling requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies the parameters of air flow rates (blow air flow rate and suction air flow rate) to achieve different operational balances. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system can prioritize either mist collection or cooling depending on the printing conditions, resolving the contradiction between effective mist suction and adequate head cooling
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
Effectively reduces contamination and print image quality issues while maintaining print productivity and image quality, with optional modes for prioritizing productivity or image quality without increasing printer size.
Implementation Method 1
a head cooler including a blower configured to blow air into the head holder from an outside of the head holder
Implementation Method 2
a suction unit configured to suction air from the head holder
Data Source
AI summary
A head holder has an opening through which a space between the head holder and a conveyer communicates with an inside of the head holder. Ahead cooler includes a blower configured to blow air into the head holder from an outside of the head holder with a flow rate of blow air and a suction unit configured to suction air from the head holder with a flow rate of suction air. The head cooler generates cooling air for cooling an ink-jet head inside the head holder by the blower and the suction unit. A controller controls the flow rate of blow air and the flow rate of suction air such that air containing ink mist is suctioned into the head holder through the opening.