Inkjet Printer Nozzle Intermediate Pulses Pressure Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers experience a decline in print quality and efficiency due to pressure fluctuations in the ink supply line, leading to variations in droplet size and the inclusion of air bubbles, which are exacerbated at high print speeds, requiring frequent cleaning and increased ink consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intermediate pulses with reduced amplitude and duration, activated between conventional conveying pulses, to stabilize the ink supply and reduce pressure fluctuations, ensuring consistent ink delivery and optimal nozzle filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high print speed is maintained, then productivity is improved, but pressure fluctuations increase causing droplet size variation and air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic intermediate pulses between conveying pulses to actively manage pressure fluctuations. These intermediate pulses occur at specific intervals (e.g., after 1-5 conveying pulses) to reset pressure conditions, allowing the system to maintain high print speeds while periodically correcting droplet size variations caused by pressure buildup in the supply line
2Productivity
If high print speed is maintained, then productivity is improved, but cleaning frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate pulses serve as preliminary actions that prevent the accumulation of harmful pressure fluctuations before they cause streaking or nozzle clogging. By actively managing pressure conditions during operation, the system extends the time between required cleaning interruptions, thereby maintaining high productivity without frequent maintenance stops
3Productivity
If conventional conveying pulses are used continuously, then productivity is maintained, but ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate pulses are designed with lower amplitude and shorter duration compared to full conveying pulses. These partial actions are sufficient to reset pressure conditions and prevent droplet size variation without requiring full ink delivery, thereby reducing unnecessary ink consumption while maintaining productivity
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 approach extends the operational time between cleaning processes, improves print quality, reduces ink consumption, and maintains consistent productivity at high print speeds by stabilizing the ink supply and minimizing air bubbles.
Implementation Method 1
a separate actuator is associated with each print nozzle. This actuator acts as a small pump, upon the activation of which a pressure pulse is exerted on the ink located in the supply line of the print nozzle so that a droplet of ink is ejected from the respective print nozzle
Implementation Method 2
pressure fluctuations in the ink supplied to the individual print nozzles may lead to the situation that the droplet size emitted upon a conveying pulse varies
Data Source
AI summary
In a method to active print nozzles of an inkjet printer including a print head having print nozzles and respective actuators associated with each of the print nozzles, one or more conveying pulses are generated to eject respective droplets of ink from the respective print nozzle; and the actuator is activated with one or more intermediate pulses having an amplitude and/or a duration that is less than an amplitude and/or a duration of the one or more conveying pulses. The one or more intermediate pulses can be configured such that no ink is ejected from the respective print nozzle with the one or more intermediate pulses.