Inkjet Head Ink Heating via Circulation Temperature Difference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently heating inks to an appropriate temperature due to increased size, cost, and power consumption, particularly when environmental temperatures vary, as they require additional hot water passages and consume more power to heat both inks and water.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet printing apparatus with an array of inkjet heads, heating elements, an ink circulation route, thermometers for temperature measurement, and a controller that allocates power based on temperature differences between ink inlet and outlet temperatures to efficiently heat the ink, using heating units and piezo-elements to manage power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If hot water passages are added to heat ink, then ink temperature can be maintained, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink temperatureVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating function with the existing ink circulation system by installing heating elements directly in the ink passages. This merges the heating function into the existing structure rather than adding separate hot water circulation passages, thereby maintaining ink temperature without increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ink itself serves as the heating medium by circulating through the heating elements. The system uses the ink's own circulation to transfer heat from the heating elements to the ink, eliminating the need for separate hot water passages that would require additional pumps and control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If hot water circulation system is used to heat ink, then ink temperature can be controlled, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink temperatureVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ink circulation system serves dual purposes: delivering ink to the print head and simultaneously transporting it through heating elements for temperature control. This eliminates the need for separate hot water circulation, reducing power consumption while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the ink circulation by routing it through heated passages. By controlling the ink flow rate and heating element power, the system optimizes energy usage while achieving the desired temperature control, avoiding the continuous high-power consumption of dedicated hot water circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If heating elements are added to each inkjet head, then ink heating efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink heating efficiencyVSAvoidheating system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Heating elements are integrated into the ink passages of each inkjet head, providing localized heating exactly where the ink needs it. This local approach improves heating efficiency by directly warming the ink at the point of use without requiring a complex system-wide hot water circulation infrastructure.

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 configuration allows for efficient ink heating to the appropriate temperature regardless of environmental conditions, reducing power consumption and apparatus size by optimizing the use of heating elements and power allocation.

Implementation Method 1

an array of inkjet heads; a set of heating elements each in a corresponding one of the inkjet heads and each configured to heat ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

an ink circulation route configured to circulate ink through the inkjet heads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

an inlet thermometer configured to measure, as first temperatures, ink temperatures of ink each flowing into a corresponding one of the inkjet heads; an outlet thermometer configured to measure, as second temperatures, ink temperatures of ink each flowing out of a corresponding one of the inkjet heads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8308265B2Inkjet printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.11.13 RISO KAGAKU CORP

AI summary

An inkjet printing apparatus includes: an array of inkjet heads; a set of heating elements each in a corresponding one of the inkjet heads and each configured to heat ink; an ink circulation route configured to circulate ink through the inkjet heads; an inlet thermometer configured to measure, as first temperatures, ink temperatures of ink each flowing into a corresponding one of the inkjet heads; an outlet thermometer configured to measure, as second temperatures, ink temperatures of ink each flowing out of a corresponding one of the inkjet heads; a heating unit configured to heat ink being circulated; and a controller configured to work with a temperature difference between a first temperature and a second temperature for each same inkjet head to determine allocation of an available power for heating ink to the heating elements and the heating unit.