Ink-Jet Head Steam Cleaning for Ink Change Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial ink-jet printers face challenges in efficiently changing between different types of ink without causing contamination, maintaining the ink-jet head and supply system in an initial state, and reducing the time required for cleaning and ink replacement.
Innovation Solution
An ink supply system with a steam cleaning function that includes an ink-jet head, an ink storing device, a gas pressure control system, a cleansing solution storing part, and a steam generating device to quickly and completely remove residue ink using cleansing solution steam, thereby maintaining the ink-jet head and supply system in a clean state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional cleaning methods are used to remove residue ink, then the ink-jet head and supply system can be cleaned, but the cleaning time is excessive and contamination risk remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to steam form. The steam generating device converts water into steam, which then flows through the ink supply system to clean residue ink. The steam condenses back to liquid water, carrying contaminants away. This phase transition enables rapid and thorough cleaning without contamination, resolving the contradiction between cleaning time and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning methods (manual disassembly, physical wiping) with a thermal field-based steam cleaning system. The steam generating device produces steam that automatically flows through and cleans the ink supply system, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing cleaning time while ensuring complete contamination removal.
2Quantity of substance
If the ink storing device and ink-jet head are separated for large-scale printing, then large amounts of ink can be supplied, but the system complexity increases and maintenance difficulty arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ink supply system into separate functional modules: an ink storing device for large-scale ink storage and an ink-jet head for printing operations. This segmentation allows the system to handle large ink quantities while maintaining operational simplicity. The steam cleaning function further simplifies maintenance by enabling easy cleaning of each module without disassembly, reducing the impact of increased system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the ink storage device is located higher than the ink-jet head for gravity-fed ink supply, then ink flow is simplified, but air bubbles may enter and disrupt the meniscus state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces steam as an intermediary substance that flows through the ink supply system. The steam condenses into water, which then flows through the system, effectively pushing air bubbles away from the ink-jet head and restoring the meniscus state. This intermediary mechanism maintains the benefits of gravity-fed ink supply while eliminating the risk of air bubble disruption.
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
The system effectively reduces cleaning time, prevents contamination during ink changes, and maintains the ink-jet head and supply system in an initial state, enabling efficient operation with various ink types.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generating device for changing water into steam
Implementation Method 2
the steam may be supplied into the ink storing device... and water which the steam has condensed
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosure is an ink supply system for an ink-jet head with a steam cleaning function. The ink supply system includes an ink-jet head including a nozzle, an ink storing device, a gas pressure control system applying negative or positive pressure to the ink storing device, a cleansing solution storing part, and a steam generating device changing at least a part of the cleansing solution into steam, wherein the cleansing solution or the cleansing solution steam is inserted into the ink storing device to clean the ink storing device and the ink-jet head.The ink supply system cleans quickly and completely residue of ink to prevent contamination during the process of changing and using ink, and the ink storage, the ink-jet head, and the ink flow path are cleaned by evaporated cleansing solution during long-term printing, thereby maintaining the ink-jet head and the ink supply system into the initial state.