Inkjet Print Apparatus Ink Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet print apparatuses using the continuous inkjet printing method face challenges in maintaining uniform ink discharge due to temperature and viscosity changes of unreleased ink, leading to inconsistent printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a print head with a heater, a reservoir, and a mixing unit with a second heater and pump, along with temperature and pressure sensors, to control and maintain consistent ink temperature and pressure, ensuring uniform ink discharge and concentration. Additionally, a solvent and particle circulation system ensures precise control of ink composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous inkjet printing method is used with ink recirculation, then productivity is improved, but ink discharge uniformity deteriorates due to temperature and viscosity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively controlling the temperature of recirculated ink through heating elements and temperature sensors. The system adjusts thermal parameters to maintain ink viscosity within optimal ranges, ensuring uniform discharge characteristics while enabling continuous operation. This resolves the contradiction by dynamically modifying physical parameters (temperature, viscosity) to sustain both high productivity and printing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through temperature sensors that continuously monitor ink temperature in the recirculation system. The sensed temperature data feeds back to control heating elements, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for temperature variations. This feedback mechanism maintains consistent ink properties despite continuous circulation, thereby preserving discharge uniformity while enabling sustained high-speed printing.
2Manufacturing precision
If ink is heated to maintain viscosity, then ink discharge uniformity is improved, but substrate temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the heating function into two distinct locations: (1) a heater in the ink supply line that heats ink before it reaches the print head, and (2) a heater in the recirculation line that maintains ink temperature. This spatial segmentation ensures that substrate heating is minimized while ink viscosity is properly controlled, resolving the contradiction between discharge uniformity and substrate temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing targeted heating only where needed - in the ink supply and recirculation pathways - rather than heating the entire substrate area. The heating elements are positioned to affect only the ink fluid, not the substrate, thereby maintaining local thermal quality. This allows uniform ink discharge through controlled heating while preserving overall substrate temperature uniformity.
3Manufacturing precision
If recirculation system is added to maintain ink properties, then ink discharge uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the recirculation system to perform multiple functions simultaneously: (1) maintaining ink temperature through integrated heating elements, (2) controlling ink viscosity via temperature management, and (3) preventing ink stagnation through continuous flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each function, thereby managing device complexity while achieving uniform ink discharge through comprehensive ink property control.
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 solution ensures uniform ink discharge and concentration, maintaining consistent printing quality by regulating temperature and pressure, and preventing particle precipitation, thus ensuring precise pattern formation on substrates.
Implementation Method 1
a first heater heating the ink
Implementation Method 2
a mixing unit mixing the ink, the mixing unit including a second heater heating the ink
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor located on the first pipe between the mixing unit and the print head, the temperature sensor sensing a temperature of the ink
Implementation Method 4
a pump located on the second pipe, the pump pressurizing the surplus ink and supplying the surplus ink to the reservoir
Implementation Method 5
The controller may maintain a temperature of the print head to be equal to that of the ink heated by the second heater, through the first heater
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet print apparatus includes a print head discharging ink onto a substrate, the print head including a first heater; a reservoir storing the ink; a first pipe supplying the ink to the reservoir; a second pipe collecting surplus ink; a mixing unit located on the first pipe and mixing the ink; a pump located on the second pipe and pressurizing and supplying the surplus ink to the reservoir; a temperature sensor located between the mixing unit and the print head and sensing a temperature of the ink; and a controller controlling a temperature of at least one of the first heater and the second heater in response to information received from the temperature sensor. The print head includes a heat insulator blocking heat emitted from the first heater between the substrate and the first heater.