Inkjet Head Gas Layer Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face issues with temperature control due to high temperature gradients when the ink jet head is positioned between the platen and the heating device, leading to ink viscosity changes and potential ejection failures.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a support member, heating device, recording head, blower, and carriage that forms a gas layer between the recording head and heating device to block heat conduction and accumulation, using a blower to create a gas layer that suppresses the heating effect on the recording head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the ink jet head is disposed between the platen and the heating device to reduce the distance for energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the temperature gradient increases causing ink viscosity changes and ejection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating system into two independent heating devices: a first heating device that heats the recording medium and a second heating device that heats the ink jet head. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for each component, resolving the contradiction by enabling the ink jet head to be positioned close to the heating device for energy efficiency while preventing excessive temperature gradients through separate temperature management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature control mechanism as an intermediary between the heating device and the ink jet head. This intermediary controls the temperature of the ink jet head independently, allowing the head to be positioned in the optimal location for energy efficiency while maintaining stable operating temperature and preventing ink viscosity changes.
2Power
If the ink jet head is positioned close to the heating device to improve energy efficiency, then heating efficiency is improved, but the temperature control becomes difficult due to high temperature gradient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two independent heating devices with separate control mechanisms. The first heating device heats the recording medium while the second heating device heats the ink jet head. This segmentation enables independent optimization of heating efficiency and temperature control, allowing the ink jet head to be positioned close to the heating device for improved heating efficiency while maintaining precise temperature control through the independent second heating device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature control parameters by introducing independent temperature control for the ink jet head through the second heating device. This allows the system to maintain optimal operating temperature for the ink jet head even when positioned close to the heating device, thereby improving heating efficiency without compromising temperature control ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a single heating device is used to heat both the recording medium and ink jet head, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent heating devices: one for heating the recording medium and another for heating the ink jet head. This segmentation improves temperature control precision by allowing independent temperature management for each component, even though it increases device complexity compared to a single heating device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature control parameters by introducing independent temperature control mechanisms for each heating device. This allows precise control of the ink jet head temperature and recording medium temperature separately, achieving high temperature control precision despite the increased device complexity of having multiple heating devices.
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 controls the temperature of the ink, preventing viscosity changes and ensuring stable ink ejection by blocking the heating effect of the heating device, thus maintaining proper printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a gas layer in which the gas flows is formed between the recording head and the heating device... heat conduction is suppressed
Implementation Method 2
a halogen heater radiatively heats a region of a recording medium in which recording has been performed by an ink jet head
Implementation Method 3
ink deposited onto the recording medium is promptly dried so as to suppress aggregation, spreading or the like of the ink
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a support member that supports a recording medium, a heating device that heats the recording medium on the support member, a recording head that ejects fluid onto the recording medium on the support member and that is positioned between the support member and the heating device, a blower that has a blowing port from which gas is blown, and a carriage that moves and has the recording head mounted thereon. The carriage has an enclosing structure inside which at least part of the gas blown from the blowing port is taken and inside which a gas layer in which the gas flows is formed between the recording head and the heating device.