Inkjet Image Former Temperature Control Ink Discharge Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers experience delayed printing start times and poor print quality at low temperatures due to increased ink viscosity and mist production, which affects the discharge mechanism and print quality.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet image former with a temperature measuring element and controller that adjusts the ink discharge speed and voltage based on temperature, allowing for earlier printing start times while controlling mist production by optimizing ink discharge rates and print ratios at transfer-longitudinal ends of the print sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If larger drive voltages are applied to the ink discharge mechanism to maintain adequate ink discharge quantities at low temperatures, then ink discharge quantity is improved, but ink mist production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the drive voltage based on temperature conditions. At low temperatures, larger drive voltages are applied to maintain adequate ink discharge quantities despite increased ink viscosity. The controller dynamically changes the voltage parameter according to temperature measurements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining discharge quantity and controlling mist production.
2Loss of time
If heating is applied to reduce ink viscosity at low temperatures to enable earlier printing start, then printing start time is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the ink temperature before printing and determining whether to proceed with printing based on temperature thresholds. Instead of continuously heating the ink, the system performs a preliminary temperature check and only applies heating when necessary and for the minimum required duration, thereby reducing energy consumption while still enabling earlier printing start times when conditions permit.
3Productivity
If ink temperature is maintained at higher levels to reduce viscosity and improve discharge, then ink discharge performance is improved, but mist production and print quality degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drive voltage dynamic rather than fixed. The controller continuously monitors temperature and adjusts the drive voltage in real-time based on current conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize ink discharge performance at each moment while preventing excessive voltage application that would generate mist, thereby resolving the contradiction between discharge performance and mist control.
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
Enables earlier printing start times at low temperatures with reduced mist production, maintaining adequate ink discharge quantities and improving print quality by adjusting drive voltages and print ratios to manage ink viscosity and mist accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measuring element configured to measure a temperature of ink received from the ink route
Implementation Method 2
the print head has a discharge mechanism composed of a set of piezoelectric elements or the like to be driven with applied drive voltages to propel out ink droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A controller works with a measure of temperature of ink at a temperature sensor within a first temperature range to have an inkjet head propel out droplets of ink at a first discharge speed for formation of images, and with a measure of temperature of ink at the temperature sensor within a second temperature range lower than the first temperature range to have the inkjet head propel out droplets of ink at a second discharge speed greater than the first discharge speed for formation of images, and the controller determines that end regions of a frame of images to be formed in regions at transfer-longitudinal ends of a sheet to be transferred in a sheet transfer system have a print ratio within a prescribed range, to execute formation of images.