Inkjet Printing Apparatus Ink Density Control via Mixer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printing apparatuses experience a significant drop in print quality when switching between ink tanks from different manufacturing lots due to noticeable differences in ink density, leading to inconsistent physical properties.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus with a controller that adjusts the feed rates of inks from multiple interchangeable ink tanks to a mixer, ensuring a consistent ink mixture even when ink lots change, thereby minimizing density differences and maintaining print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If ink tanks from different manufacturing lots are used, then ink supply continuity is maintained, but ink density uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ink tanks (from different manufacturing lots) into a single supply system by merging their outputs through a common feed pipe to the inkjet head. This merging allows continuous operation while the mixing effect reduces density variations between lots, resolving the contradiction between supply continuity and density uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed pipe acts as an intermediary component that receives ink from multiple tanks and delivers it to the inkjet head. This intermediary structure allows for the blending of inks from different lots, maintaining continuous supply while reducing the impact of lot-to-lot variations on print quality.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a changeover switch is used to switch between ink tanks, then ink supply continuity is maintained, but print quality deteriorates during switching
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of switching between tanks, the patent merges the outputs of multiple tanks into a single continuous supply. This eliminates the switching operation that causes quality deterioration while maintaining continuous ink supply to the inkjet head.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple ink tanks are used, then ink supply continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is segmented into multiple independent tanks that can be individually replaced or refilled, while their outputs are combined through a simple common feed pipe. This segmentation allows continuous operation without requiring complex switching mechanisms.
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
The solution effectively reduces ink density variations and prevents simultaneous depletion of ink tanks, maintaining high operational efficiency and print quality even when switching between different ink lots.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for feeding the ink from each holder to the mixer
Implementation Method 2
a mixer provided at the other ends of the branch pipes; the controller feeds the inks from all the ink tanks held by the holders to the mixer
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus for forming images with ink droplets includes the following elements: an inkjet head, a plurality of holders for removably holding a plurality of ink tanks storing inks interchangeable with each other, branch pipes each having one end thereof connected to one of the ink tanks, a mixer provided at the other ends of the branch pipes, a pump for feeding the inks to the mixer, a feed pipe connecting the mixer and the inkjet head, and a controller for controlling ink feeding. The controller makes different a feed rate of the ink from each of the ink tanks.