Inkjet Heater and Accumulation Portion for Reduced Wait Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses using inkjet systems face a long wait time for users before image formation can start due to the time required to warm the ink to the appropriate temperature after it cools down in the specific section from the warming position to the recording head.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a heater that warms the ink on the upstream side of the supply path, an accumulation portion to store ink, and a control system that acquires the ink temperature and adjusts the heater's drive to ensure the ink reaches the recording head at the optimal temperature, allowing the ink to flow through both the supply and recovery paths until it reaches the ejection portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the ink is warmed using a heater at the upstream position, then the ink temperature reaches the optimal range faster, but the wait time for users before image formation starts remains long due to the distance from the warming position to the ejection portion
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulation portion stores ink that has already been warmed by the heater in advance. When image formation is requested, the pre-warmed ink is immediately supplied to the ejection portion, eliminating the need to wait for ink to warm up during actual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulation portion acts as an intermediary between the heater and the ejection portion. It receives warmed ink from the heater, maintains it at optimal temperature, and supplies it to the ejection portion, decoupling the warming process from the image formation timing.
2Temperature
If the heater continuously warms the ink on the supply path, then the ink temperature is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater warms ink in advance and stores it in the accumulation portion at optimal temperature. This preliminary warming action eliminates the need for continuous heating during idle periods, as the pre-warmed ink is readily available for immediate use.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulation portion maintains the ink at optimal temperature through its insulation properties, allowing the warmed ink to self-maintain its temperature without continuous external heating, thereby reducing energy consumption.
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 shortens the user wait time before image formation by ensuring the ink is warmed to the required temperature efficiently, reducing the time needed for ink preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a heater which warms the ink at a warming position that is more on an upstream side of a flowing direction of the ink than the ejection portion on the supply path
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a heater, an accumulation portion, a drive control portion, and a flow processing portion. The heater warms ink at a warming position more on an upstream side of a flowing direction than an ejection portion on a supply path of the ink. The accumulation portion is provided in a specific section from the warming position to the ejection portion on the supply path and accumulates the ink. The drive control portion controls drive of the heater based on a difference between a temperature of the ink at the warming position and a target temperature. The flow processing portion causes, when the temperature of the ink in the specific section is smaller than a threshold value, the ink warmed by the heater to flow along the supply path and a recovery path of waste ink until the ink reaches the ejection portion.