Inkjet Printer Mist Suction with Variable Downstream Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink mist generated by inkjet heads in printing apparatuses is not efficiently collected, leading to dispersion within the printer due to a decrease in suction container effectiveness as the inkjet heads are positioned further downstream, resulting in incomplete ink collection and increased ink mist dispersion.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus configuration with multiple inkjet heads and corresponding mist suction units, where each mist suction unit has a varying suction force and flow path design to ensure efficient ink mist collection, with stronger suction forces downstream to capture ink mist not collected by upstream units, reducing pressure loss and enhancing air flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If suction containers are provided downstream of inkjet heads to collect ink mist, then ink mist collection is improved, but the number of effective suction containers decreases downstream leading to increased ink mist dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different suction forces at different locations (upstream vs downstream mist suction units). The downstream mist suction unit has a stronger suction force than the upstream unit, creating localized variations in suction capability to compensate for the decreasing effectiveness of suction containers downstream. This resolves the contradiction by making each location's suction unit specifically optimized for its position in the transport direction.
2Manufacturing precision
If more suction containers are provided downstream to capture remaining ink mist, then collection completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple suction containers into two main mist suction units (first and second) that are integrated into the printing apparatus structure. Instead of providing separate suction containers for each inkjet head position, the system combines them into coordinated units with different suction forces, reducing the total number of components while maintaining comprehensive ink mist collection capability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If suction force is increased downstream to compensate for distance, then ink mist collection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different suction forces at different locations (upstream vs downstream mist suction units). The downstream mist suction unit has a stronger suction force than the upstream unit, creating localized variations in suction capability to compensate for the decreasing effectiveness of suction containers downstream. This resolves the contradiction by making each location's suction unit specifically optimized for its position in the transport direction.
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 configuration effectively suppresses the generation and dispersion of uncollected ink mist within the printer, ensuring better inkjet head performance and maintaining printing quality by optimizing suction force distribution and flow path design.
Implementation Method 1
a suction force generating unit configured to generate a suction force of the first mist suction unit and the second mist suction unit
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a printing unit that ejects an ink from an inkjet head onto a medium, and a mist suction unit that suctions mist of the ink. The printing unit includes a first inkjet head, and a second inkjet head provided downstream of the first inkjet head in a transport direction of the medium. The mist suction unit includes a first mist suction device provided between the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head in the transport direction, a second mist suction device provided downstream of the second inkjet head in the transport direction, a first flow path coupling a blower and the first mist suction device, and a second flow path coupling the blower and the second mist suction device. A suction force of the second mist suction device is stronger than a suction force of the first mist suction device.