Ink-jet Sub Tank Temperature Control and Supply Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent ink temperature and supply, leading to potential ink ejection failures and image quality degradation, especially during high-demand print jobs where ink consumption is rapid.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a sub tank with a heater and temperature sensor, controlled by a unit that maintains the sub tank temperature at a preset level, ensuring ink is supplied to the recording head at a consistent temperature, and a larger sub tank capacity than individual ink containers to prevent frequent replenishment and maintain ink flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sub tank is used to pool ink from containers, then ink supply stability is improved, but ink temperature control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sub tank serves as an intermediary between the ink containers and the recording head. It pools ink from multiple containers and provides a stable supply to the recording head, decoupling the container replacement operations from the ink supply stability requirement. The heater and temperature sensor in the sub tank directly control the ink temperature at the point of use, simplifying the overall temperature control system compared to controlling multiple containers.
2Productivity
If the sub tank capacity is increased to prevent frequent replenishment, then productivity is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink storage system is segmented into multiple smaller containers that can be individually replaced, rather than using a single large tank. The sub tank maintains a moderate capacity to bridge between container replenishments, enabling continuous operation without requiring an excessively large storage volume. This segmentation allows high productivity through continuous supply while keeping the sub tank size manageable.
3Productivity
If ink is supplied rapidly during high-demand print jobs, then productivity is improved, but ink temperature consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heater in the sub tank proactively maintains the ink at the target temperature before rapid consumption occurs. By continuously or preemptively heating the ink in the sub tank, the system ensures temperature consistency is maintained even when ink is rapidly supplied to the recording head during high-demand print jobs, preventing temperature drops that would occur with rapid outflow.
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 stabilizes ink temperature and supply, reducing ink ejection failures and image quality issues, allowing for uninterrupted and high-quality printing even during rapid ink consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The heater heats the sub tank to a preset tank-control temperature or higher
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensor outputs a value in accordance with the temperature of the sub tank
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a sub tank that pools an ink supplied from a container, a recording head, a heater, a temperature sensor, and a control unit that supplies the ink from the container to the sub tank when an allowed state has been established. The control unit determines that the allowed state has been established when the temperature of the sub tank is equal to or higher than a tank control temperature. The sub tank has a capacity that is higher than the capacity per container.