Inkjet Print Head Discharge Unit for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing devices face challenges with ink leakage and scattering during print head replacement, as existing methods can only reduce pressure to atmospheric levels, leading to residual ink issues and increased complexity and cost due to complicated structures.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing device with a discharge unit that creates a negative pressure in the ink supply path before print head detachment, using a cap and suction pump to draw ink back into the supply path, reducing the risk of ink scattering and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If pressure in the ink supply path is reduced to atmospheric pressure to prevent ink leakage, then ink leakage is reduced, but residual ink still scatters and drips from the joint between print head and ink supply path
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge unit performs preliminary action by discharging ink from the print head before the print head is detached from the carriage. This preliminary discharge prevents residual ink from scattering or dripping when the connection is broken, addressing the limitation of merely reducing pressure to atmospheric levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the ink discharge operation in advance before print head replacement. By emptying the print head of residual ink beforehand, the system ensures that no ink remains to cause scattering or dripping when the print head is removed, thus reliably preventing harmful ink dispersion.
2Reliability
If an ink-suction hole and negative-pressure generating mechanism are added to suck ink back into the supply path, then ink scattering is prevented, but the ink supply unit becomes complicated and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ink discharge function from the complex negative-pressure suction system and implements it through a simpler discharge unit. Instead of using an ink-suction hole in the ink supply needle and negative-pressure generating mechanism, the system uses a dedicated discharge unit that directly discharges ink from the print head, thereby preventing ink scattering while avoiding the complexity and size increase associated with the suction-based approach.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a discharge unit is added to discharge ink from the print head before detachment, then ink scattering and leakage are prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge unit is designed to be integrated into the existing ink supply system, utilizing available components and pathways. The discharge operation is performed automatically as part of the print head replacement sequence, requiring minimal additional structure while effectively preventing ink scattering and leakage through the existing system's capabilities.
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
Effectively inhibits ink scattering and leakage during print head replacement, reducing the risk of ink stains and maintaining a simplified, cost-effective ink supply system without increasing the device's size or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure is generated in the ink supply path and thereby the generated negative pressure acts in the print head through the ink supply hole formed in the ink supply needle, thus returning the ink in the print head back into the ink supply path
Implementation Method 2
suction means provided in an ink supply path... the generated negative pressure acts in the print head... thus returning the ink in the print head back into the ink supply path
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing device includes a print head for ejecting ink, a carriage provided with the print head detachably mounted thereon for moving the print head, an ink tank placed outside the carriage for storing ink, an ink supply path for supplying ink from the ink tank to the print head, and a discharge unit for discharging ink in the print head. Before the print head is detached from the carriage, the discharge unit discharges the ink in the print head.