Inkjet Recording Head Nozzle Flushing for Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with nozzle clogging due to ink viscosity increases over time, leading to degraded image quality, especially when printing on sheets of varying sizes, as the ink in nozzles not used for a while tends to become stagnant and viscous.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a control portion that manages flushing processing by identifying target nozzles and performing preparatory flushing on nozzles that will be used for larger sheets, ejecting ink towards openings in the conveying belt's flushing areas, thereby reducing ink viscosity and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing processing is performed on all nozzles continuously, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but ink consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preparatory flushing processing on nozzles that will be used for larger sheets before actual printing begins. This preliminary action prevents clogging in nozzles that would otherwise remain stagnant during the printing of smaller sheets, ensuring reliability without requiring continuous flushing of all nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which nozzles receive flushing processing based on the sheet size being printed. When a larger sheet is detected, the system activates additional nozzles for flushing that were previously inactive. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between preventing clogging and minimizing unnecessary ink consumption and time loss.
2Reliability
If ink is ejected from nozzles for an extended period, then nozzle clogging is reduced, but ink viscosity increases due to stagnation in unused nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies flushing processing selectively to specific nozzles based on their individual usage requirements. Only nozzles that will be used for the upcoming larger sheet printing receive flushing, while other nozzles remain inactive. This local quality approach ensures flow stability in used nozzles without causing unnecessary ink stagnation and viscosity increase in unused nozzles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the recording head covers a wider width to print on larger sheets, then versatility increases, but the number of nozzles increases leading to more potential clogging issues
Solution Approach 1:
When a larger sheet size is detected, the system performs preparatory flushing on nozzles that will be newly activated for that sheet width before printing begins. This preliminary action ensures that all nozzles, including newly activated ones, are free from clogging issues before they are put into service, maintaining reliability as the system adapts to larger sheet sizes.
4Manufacturing precision
If flushing processing is performed frequently, then image quality is maintained, but printing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs flushing processing periodically based on sheet size changes rather than continuously. Preparatory flushing is executed only when a larger sheet is detected and before printing begins, converting a continuous time-consuming process into periodic actions that maintain image quality without unnecessarily extending printing cycle time.
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 approach effectively reduces nozzle clogging and maintains image quality by ensuring that ink is flushed from nozzles that will be used for subsequent prints, minimizing ink consumption and preventing degradation in image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The recording head prints on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
When printing is performed on a recording medium of a second size larger than a first size, a control portion, after passage of the recording medium of the first size at a position opposite a recording head before arrival of the recording medium of the second size at the position opposite the recording head, makes the recording head perform preparatory flushing processing in which ink is ejected toward openings from first nozzles that have not been set as target nozzles during printing on the recording medium of the first size but will be newly set as the target nozzles during printing on the recording medium of the second size.