Inkjet Head Flow-Path Temperature Control for Consistent Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printers face issues with compromised print quality due to variations in ink viscosity and ejection rates caused by temperature changes, particularly with UV ink, which affects the consistency of ink flow through multiple ink paths and nozzles.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer system that estimates ink temperature in each flow path based on flow rate and external temperature, and adjusts drive voltage to ejection energy elements to maintain consistent ink ejection, using internal and external sensors to control the inkjet head's heating and pressure mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating mechanism is used for the inkjet head, then the structure is simple, but the ink temperature varies across different ink flow paths causing viscosity variations and ejection inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The heating mechanism is divided into multiple independent heating elements, each corresponding to a specific ink flow path or group of flow paths. This segmentation allows each heating element to independently control the temperature of its associated ink flow path, ensuring uniform ink temperature and viscosity across all nozzles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating elements are applied to different regions of the inkjet head based on local temperature requirements. Each heating element can be independently controlled to provide the exact temperature needed for its specific ink flow path, addressing local viscosity variations without requiring complex global control systems.
2Device complexity
If drive voltage is uniformly applied to all nozzles, then the control system is simple, but ink ejection amount varies due to temperature and viscosity differences across ink flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The drive voltage for each nozzle or nozzle group is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time temperature feedback from corresponding temperature sensors. This dynamic control allows the system to compensate for temperature-induced viscosity variations, ensuring consistent ink ejection across all nozzles while using a relatively simple control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors are placed in or near each ink flow path to provide real-time temperature feedback to the control system. This feedback is used to adjust the drive voltage for corresponding nozzles, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains consistent ink ejection despite temperature variations across different flow paths.
3Device complexity
If no temperature compensation is implemented, then the system is simple, but print quality deteriorates under temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
Heating elements are activated in advance to preheat ink in each flow path before printing begins or when temperature deviations are detected. This preliminary heating action ensures that ink viscosity is optimized for ejection before actual printing occurs, maintaining print quality stability without requiring complex real-time adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system actively adjusts temperature parameters in each ink flow path by controlling heating elements based on temperature sensor feedback. This parameter control compensates for environmental temperature fluctuations, ensuring consistent ink viscosity and ejection characteristics across varying operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple system architecture.
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 stabilizes ink ejection rates and viscosity across multiple nozzles, ensuring high-quality printing regardless of temperature fluctuations and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating mechanism configured to heat the ink in each of the plurality of ink flow paths
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of temperature sensors respectively detecting temperatures in the plurality of ink flow paths
Implementation Method 3
an inkjet head in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink and a plurality of ink flow paths to which the plurality of nozzles are connected are formed; and a controller configured to control the inkjet printer, wherein the inkjet head includes a plurality of ejection energy generation elements each configured to make a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles eject the ink
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer that includes an inkjet head in which a plurality of ink flow paths are formed is provided. In this inkjet printer, a plurality of nozzles from which ink is ejected and a plurality of ink flow paths to which the plurality of nozzles are connected are formed in an inkjet head. The inkjet head includes a plurality of ejection energy generation elements that make the plurality of respective nozzles eject ink. Based on an ink flow rate which is a flow rate of ink flowing into each of the plurality of ink flow paths and internal temperature or external temperature of the inkjet head, a controller of the inkjet printer estimates the ink temperature in each of the plurality of ink flow paths, and controls drive voltage applied to the plurality of ejection energy generation elements based on the result of the estimation.