Inkjet Image Former Pressure Equalization for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet image formers experience failures due to unexpected stops, such as emergency stops or power interruptions, which cause a difference in internal pressure between the supply and collection tanks, leading to ink leakage or flow issues.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet image former configuration with a pressure generator to create a difference in internal pressure between ink storages and an electromagnetic valve to communicate these storages, reducing the pressure difference and preventing failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If back pressure is applied to the supply tank and collection tank to control ink flow, then ink flow rate can be adjusted, but a pressure difference remains between tanks during unexpected stops causing ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A communication path (air flow path) is introduced between the supply tank and collection tank to serve as an intermediary pressure equalization channel. During unexpected stops, this intermediary path allows pressure to equalize between the two tanks, preventing ink leakage while maintaining controlled ink flow during normal operation through the ink supply path.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is pre-configured to automatically equalize pressure between tanks when unexpected stops occur, before ink leakage can happen. This preliminary pressure equalization action prevents the harmful effect of ink leakage rather than reacting after leakage begins.
2Reliability
If a communication path is added to equalize pressure between tanks, then reliability during stops improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication path serves multiple functions: it acts as a pressure equalization channel during unexpected stops, and can also serve as part of the normal ink circulation system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability.
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 solution effectively equalizes internal pressures between the ink storages, preventing ink leakage or flow issues during unexpected stops, ensuring stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure generator that generates a difference in internal pressure between the plurality of ink storages so that ink flows between the plurality of ink storages and the inkjet head
Implementation Method 2
a storage communicator that causes the plurality of ink storages to communicate with each other so that the difference in internal pressure decreases
Data Source
AI summary
An image former includes: an inkjet head; a plurality of ink storages that is connected to the inkjet head and stores ink; a pressure generator that generates a difference in internal pressure between the plurality of ink storages so that ink flows between the plurality of ink storages and the inkjet head; and a storage communicator that causes the plurality of ink storages to communicate with each other so that the difference in internal pressure decreases.