Inkjet Textile Nozzle Switching With Penetrant Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet textile printing faces challenges in efficiently switching between different inks to accommodate various fabrics and patterns without causing color mixing or nozzle clogging, and in achieving uniform image density on both printing and non-printing surfaces, while also maintaining a compact and non-complex apparatus design.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a single printer with a penetrant liquid that facilitates ink penetration and acts as a cleaning agent, allowing for the ejection of both the penetrant liquid and textile printing colored liquid from the same nozzle, reducing the complexity and size of the apparatus by eliminating the need for separate cleaning liquids and dedicated nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printers are used to accommodate different ink types for various fabrics and patterns, then printing versatility is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single inkjet printer capable of handling multiple ink types (water-based and solvent-based) through a universal nozzle system. The nozzle is designed with a broad opening that can accommodate different ink viscosities and compositions, allowing one printer to perform functions that would traditionally require multiple specialized printers, thus improving versatility while reducing apparatus complexity
2Device complexity
If ink type is changed in a single printer, then space efficiency is improved, but color mixing and nozzle clogging occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic narrow opening structure from the nozzle design that caused ink residue accumulation and clogging. By removing this constraint and replacing it with a broad opening design, the system can efficiently switch between different ink types without color mixing or clogging, maintaining reliability while achieving apparatus compactness through single-printer multi-ink capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the nozzle opening size parameter from narrow to broad. This parameter change enables the nozzle to handle different ink viscosities and compositions effectively, allowing reliable ink type switching in a single printer without the harmful effects of color mixing or clogging
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional nozzle design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ink residue accumulates and nozzles clog
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of nozzle opening size from narrow to broad. This parameter change prevents ink residue accumulation and clogging by enabling more efficient ink flow and reduced residence time in the nozzle, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through a simple geometric modification rather than a complex structural redesign
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 enables inkjet printing that is visible from both surfaces with reduced image density differences and effective nozzle cleaning, maintaining apparatus compactness and efficiency in ink switching, thereby enhancing printing versatility and quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first penetrant liquid that facilitates penetration of the first textile printing colored liquid into a first fabric
Implementation Method 2
the type of penetrant liquid used depends on the type of ink used... serving to clean the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet textile printing apparatus includes a penetrant liquid storage tank, a textile printing colored liquid storage tank, and first to third flow passages. The penetrant liquid storage tank is configured and arranged to store a penetrant liquid that facilitates penetration of a textile printing colored liquid into a fabric. The textile printing colored liquid storage tank is configured and arranged to store the textile printing colored liquid. The first flow passage connects the penetrant liquid storage tank and a first nozzle together. The second flow passage connects the textile printing colored liquid storage tank and a second nozzle together. The third flow passage connects the first flow passage and the second flow passage together and forms a flow passage for supplying the penetrant liquid to the second nozzle.