Inkjet Printer Ink Temperature Control via Intermediary Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in starting printing quickly in low-temperature environments due to uneven ink temperatures in the upstream tank, leading to a wider temperature margin requirement for heating, which prolongs the waiting time for printing to begin.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer with a temperature sensor positioned in the ink route between the print head and the ink tank, along with a heater and controller, ensures precise temperature measurement and heating, allowing printing to start when the ink temperature reaches a prescribed level, reducing waiting time by considering the distance, cross-sectional area, and ink circulation rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a temperature sensor is positioned in the upstream tank to measure ink temperature, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to uneven ink temperatures in the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary temperature sensor positioned in the ink route between the upstream tank and the print head. This mediator sensor measures the actual ink temperature that reaches the print head, rather than relying on indirect measurements from the tank. The intermediary sensor provides accurate temperature data that reflects the real condition of ink flowing to the print head, resolving the contradiction between simple sensor placement and precise temperature measurement.
2Reliability
If a wider temperature margin is set for heating determination, then the reliability of printing is improved, but the loss of time increases due to prolonged waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the temperature sensor continuously monitors the actual ink temperature in the route between the tank and print head. The controller receives real-time temperature feedback and adjusts the heating process accordingly, stopping heating when the ink reaches the adequate temperature for reliable printing. This feedback system eliminates the need for excessive temperature margins while ensuring printing reliability, thereby reducing unnecessary waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the ink in the route between the upstream tank and the print head before printing begins. By pre-heating the ink in its path of travel rather than waiting for the tank temperature to rise, the system ensures that the ink reaching the print head is at the adequate temperature, reducing the overall waiting time while maintaining printing reliability.
3Ease of operation
If ink is heated in the upstream tank, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the time required for heat to propagate through the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the temperature sensor as an intermediary in the ink route between the upstream tank and the print head, allowing the system to monitor and control heating based on the actual temperature of ink that will reach the print head. This intermediary measurement approach enables more efficient heating control, reducing the time required compared to heating the entire tank content.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating the entire upstream tank uniformly, the system applies heating locally to the ink in the route between the tank and the print head, where the temperature sensor detects the actual temperature condition. This localized heating approach targets only the ink that needs to be warmed for printing, significantly reducing the time required compared to heating the whole tank volume.
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 configuration enables precise estimation of ink temperature at the print head, reducing the waiting time for printing to begin in low-temperature conditions by ensuring ink is heated to the required temperature without unnecessary delays.
Implementation Method 1
The heater 240 is adapted to warm up ink when the ink temperature is low
Implementation Method 2
The cooler 250 is configured with a heat sink and an air fan, for instance, and adapted to cool ink when the ink temperature is high
Implementation Method 3
ink is delivered by the pump 260 from the downstream tank 220 to the upstream tank 230
Implementation Method 4
The upstream tank 230 has a temperature sensor 231 disposed therein to measure an ink temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A print head includes an ink propelling mechanism, an ink tank supplies ink to the print head, an ink circulation route includes the print head and the ink tank therein, a pump circulates ink through the ink circulation route, a temperature sensor measures a temperature of ink flowing in a route between the print head and the ink tank in the ink circulation route, a heater is disposed in a vicinity of the ink tank to heat ink, and a controller works with a received print job, operating for temperatures of ink as measures at the temperature sensor lower than a first prescribed reference, to heat ink by the heater without starting printing, and for temperatures of ink as measures at the temperature sensor kept equal to or higher than the first reference for a prescribed time interval, to start printing.