Inkjet Printer Ink Circulation Bypass Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with ink circulation, where increasing circulation speed to remove air bubbles and sedimentation can lead to meniscus destruction and ink flowing into the cap, causing malfunctions and ink residue.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller that manages ink circulation through a nozzle surface, first and second flow paths, and a bypass flow path, executing head-inside circulation when the cap is recently cleaned and head-outside circulation when the elapsed time is longer, to reduce ink flow into the cap and minimize ink residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the circulation speed of ink is increased to remove air bubbles and eliminate sedimentation, then the effectiveness of ink circulation is improved, but the meniscus of the nozzles may be destroyed and air bubbles may be drawn into the head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection between two circulation modes (head-inside circulation and head-outside circulation) based on the liquid-contact state of the cap. The controller dynamically switches circulation paths to optimize both circulation effectiveness and meniscus stability according to real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the circulation path parameter based on the cap's liquid-contact state. When the cap is in liquid-contact state with recent cleaning, head-inside circulation is used; otherwise, head-outside circulation is used. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the circulation mode to current system conditions.
2Productivity
If ink is circulated through the head in liquid-contact state, then air bubbles are removed and sedimentation is eliminated, but ink may flow out from the nozzles into the cap and remain there
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circulation path into two distinct modes: head-inside circulation (through the nozzles and head) and head-outside circulation (bypassing the head). This segmentation allows selective use of each path based on the cap's liquid-contact state, preventing ink residue while maintaining circulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that monitors the cap's liquid-contact state and selectively activates the appropriate circulation mode. This intermediary function prevents direct harmful interaction (ink flowing into cap) by mediating the circulation process based on real-time conditions.
3Productivity
If head-inside circulation is performed regardless of cap cleaning time, then ink circulation effectiveness is maintained, but ink residue in the cap increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic assessment of the cap's liquid-contact state and adjusts circulation mode accordingly. By periodically checking the elapsed time since last cleaning and switching circulation modes based on this temporal parameter, the system maintains effectiveness while minimizing ink residue accumulation over time.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer includes a nozzle surface provided on a head and having a nozzle ejecting ink, first and second flow paths connected to the head, a bypass flow path connecting the first and second flow paths outside the head, a cap provided to be in contact with the nozzle surface, and a controller. The controller executes circulation of the ink through the first flow path, the head and the second flow path, in a liquid-contact state where a cleaning liquid supplied in the cap is contacted with the nozzle surface, at an end of last printing or when an elapsed time from last cleaning in the cap is within a predetermined time, and circulation of the ink through the first flow path, the bypass flow path and the second flow path without passing through the head when the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined time.