Inkjet Printing Machine Controller Air Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing machines face issues with residual air bubbles in the ink route during initial filling of the inkjet head, leading to poor ink discharge due to air remaining at horizontal and bent parts of the ink route.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing machine with a controller that manages valve operations to drive the pump with the first valve closed and the second valve open, then reverses the flow to move air back into the ink cartridge, eliminating the need for air to be exhausted from the inkjet head, thereby reducing residual air bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is disposed on the branch route to generate appropriate negative pressure on nozzles, then the inkjet head can be filled with ink, but residual air bubbles remain in horizontal and bent parts of the ink route
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing air removal from the direct route before the ink filling process begins. The controller executes a specific sequence: closing the second valve, opening the first valve, and driving the pump to remove air from the direct route prior to initiating the main ink filling operation. This preliminary air removal prevents air bubbles from remaining in horizontal and bent parts of the ink route during subsequent ink discharge.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple valve operations are performed to remove air from the direct route, then residual air bubbles are reduced, but the initial filling process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the existing pump and valve system to perform air removal as an integrated part of the initial filling process. The controller automatically executes the air removal sequence using the same pump that will later be used for ink filling, and the same valves that control ink flow. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated air removal equipment while still effectively removing air bubbles from the direct route.
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 effectively reduces residual air bubbles in the ink route, improving ink discharge efficiency and minimizing ink wastage by eliminating the need for repeated pressurized cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a pump that is disposed on the branch route, and used to send ink from the ink cartridge to the inkjet head
Implementation Method 2
stops the pump and opens the first valve after compressing with the pump the air between the second valve and the ink, and (v) closes the first valve and opens the second valve after the ink, which flows backward due to restoration of compressed air between the second valve and the ink, moves air in the direct route into the ink cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling unit performs the following operations: (i) the controlling unit drives a pump with a direct valve closed and an air compression valve opened in initial filling of an inkjet head with ink; (ii) the controlling unit closes the air compression valve when a tip of ink introduced in an ink route reaches a prescribed position between a joining joint part and the air compression valve; (iii) the controlling unit stops the pump and opens the direct valve after closing the air compression valve; (iv) the controlling unit closes the direct valve and opens the air compression valve after the ink, which flows backward due to restoration of compressed air between the air compression valve and the ink, moves air in a direct route into the ink cartridge; and (v) the controlling unit drives the pump to fill the inkjet head with ink.