Inkjet Printer Suction Control for Uniform Ink Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with wasteful ink consumption and incomplete draining or cleaning due to uneven suction through the ink path, leading to inaccuracies in ink remaining and potential print failures from air bubbles.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer design with a controller that manages suction through valves in the ink paths to ensure balanced fluid flow, using a first control section to close one valve and open another during suction periods, optimizing ink filling, draining, and cleaning processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suction is applied through multiple tubes simultaneously, then ink filling efficiency is improved, but suction becomes uneven causing some tubes to be over-filled while others are under-filled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the simultaneous suction process into sequential stages by controlling valves. Instead of opening all valves at once, the system opens valves in a predetermined sequence, segmenting the suction process into multiple controlled phases. This ensures each tube receives appropriate suction pressure at the right time, achieving uniform filling while maintaining overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of valve states during the suction process. The controller adjusts which valves are open or closed based on the current filling stage, creating a dynamic suction pattern that adapts to the real-time state of each tube. This dynamic valve control ensures optimal suction distribution throughout the filling process.
2Ease of repair
If ink is drained from the ink path, then maintenance capability is improved, but ink may not be completely drained leaving residual ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using suction to draw ink toward the drainage location before gravity-driven drainage occurs. The suction device creates negative pressure that pulls residual ink from all tubes toward a central drainage point, ensuring more complete ink removal. This preliminary suction action complements the subsequent gravity drainage, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
3Reliability
If cleaning liquid is supplied to the ink path, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cleaning liquid may not reach all areas uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action during cleaning by keeping the suction device operating throughout the cleaning liquid supply process. The suction creates continuous fluid movement that prevents stagnant zones and ensures cleaning liquid reaches all areas of the ink path. This continuous suction action works in tandem with the cleaning liquid supply, maintaining uniform cleaning effectiveness throughout the entire ink path system.
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 design minimizes ink consumption, ensures complete draining, and prevents air bubbles from entering the ink path, thereby accurately determining remaining ink and preventing print failures.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device attached to the ink head, the suction device being configured to apply suction to a fluid in the first ink path, the second ink path, and the third ink path through the ink head
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an inkjet printer capable of allowing fluids, such as ink, cleaning liquid, and air, to suitably flow into an ink path. The inkjet printer includes an ink path (16, 18, 28), valves (22, 26), a suction device, and a controller. The controller includes: a first control section to perform a first operation in which the suction device is driven for a first time period, with the valve (22) closed and the valve (26) opened; and a second control section to perform, after the first operation, a second operation in which the suction device is driven for a second time period, with the valve (22) opened and the valve (26) closed.