Inkjet Apparatus Solvent Container Ink Mist Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink mist generated during the recovery process in inkjet recording apparatuses contaminates the exterior and leads to inefficient air flow, causing ink spillage and increased solvent volatilization, which complicates the recovery and discharge of ink and air.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording apparatus with a solvent container equipped with an ink mist removal unit that collects and dissolves ink mist from the exhaust gas, reducing mist deposition and contamination, and includes a second exhaust channel to manage gas and ink particles effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is continuously fed into the ink container to maintain ink flow in the gutter, then ink spillage is prevented, but ink mist is generated and drifts into the ink container, causing contamination and narrowing the exhaust route
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful ink mist from the exhaust gas stream by introducing a solvent that selectively absorbs the mist particles. The solvent container is positioned to receive exhaust gas from the ink container, and the ink mist is removed from the gas phase into the liquid solvent phase, separating the harmful component from the exhaust flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solvent as an intermediary substance between the ink mist and the exhaust route. The solvent acts as a mediator that captures ink mist particles through absorption, preventing them from depositing in the exhaust route and narrowing it. The solvent container serves as an intermediate chamber where this absorption process occurs.
2Productivity
If air flow rate from the gutter is increased to prevent ink spillage, then ink recovery is improved, but solvent volatilization increases and running costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high air flow (which causes excessive solvent volatilization) into a beneficial process. The solvent volatilization that occurs is not wasted but is captured and utilized to create a fresh solvent mixture in the solvent container. This fresh solvent then absorbs ink mist from the exhaust gas, turning what would be a loss into a useful resource for mist removal.
3Device complexity
If ink mist is not removed from exhaust gas, then the system is simple, but ink mist deposits in the exhaust route and narrows it, decreasing air discharge flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing ink mist from the exhaust gas before it can travel far through the exhaust route. The solvent container is positioned early in the exhaust path to intercept and absorb ink mist particles, preventing their subsequent deposition in the exhaust route. This proactive removal maintains exhaust route patency and preserves air discharge flow rate.
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 reduces ink mist deposition in exhaust channels and minimizes ink contamination around the apparatus, maintaining a clean environment and optimizing air flow rates for efficient ink and air recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a solvent container equipped with an ink mist removal unit that removes ink mist from exhaust gas discharged from the ink container
Data Source
AI summary
In an inkjet recording apparatus including an ink and solvent containers, they are coupled with each other through a first exhaust channel, an exhaust gas and ink mist within the ink container are supplied to the solvent container through the first exhaust channel, and the solvent container has an ink mist removal unit removing the ink mist supplied from the first exhaust channel.