Inkjet Recording Device With Temperature-Adaptive Bubble Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The generation of bubbles in inkjet recording devices due to temperature changes affects the ejection performance of the recording head, necessitating effective countermeasures to maintain ink quality and prevent nozzle clogging.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording apparatus with a circulation degassing system that circulates ink through a separate flow path, using a non-positive displacement pump to reduce pressure and replace ink layers to enhance degassing efficiency, combined with a control device to adjust bubble countermeasures based on calculated bubble generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the ink temperature increases, then the ejection performance may improve, but the amount of bubble generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of temperature increase (which causes bubble generation) into a beneficial degassing process. By intentionally heating the ink in a controlled manner and simultaneously applying reduced pressure, the system promotes bubble formation and removal, thereby eliminating dissolved gases that would otherwise cause ejection failures. The harmful thermal effect is transformed into a useful degassing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by performing degassing treatment before the ink is supplied to the recording head. The system proactively removes bubbles from the ink by creating conditions that promote bubble formation and separation (heating and pressure reduction) before the ink reaches the ejection nozzles. This preventive approach ensures that bubbles are eliminated in advance, preventing ejection failures during normal operation.
2Reliability
If a stirrer is rotated by magnetic force to stir the ink, then the degassing effect is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic stirrer mechanism with a simpler pressure control system. Instead of using magnetic fields to rotate a stirrer and mechanically agitate the ink, the system uses pressure reduction to promote natural convection and bubble separation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex magnetic drive mechanisms while achieving effective degassing through pressure-controlled fluid dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of degassing from the complex magnetic stirrer system and achieves it through a simpler pressure control mechanism. By removing the magnetic stirrer components and relying on pressure-induced convection and bubble separation, the system maintains degassing effectiveness while significantly reducing device complexity and eliminating unnecessary mechanical parts.
3Reliability
If bubble countermeasure treatment is strengthened, then the ejection performance is maintained, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary degassing action by removing bubbles from the ink before it is supplied to the recording head. The degassing process is completed in advance during ink circulation or storage, ensuring that the ink reaches the ejection nozzles in a bubble-free state. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming bubble countermeasures during actual printing operations, maintaining ejection performance without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous degassing action by maintaining pressure control and circulation throughout the ink supply system. Instead of performing intermittent bubble removal operations that consume time, the system continuously prevents bubble formation and promotes bubble separation through sustained pressure management. This continuous action ensures consistent ejection performance without interrupting the printing process.
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 system effectively manages bubble generation by adjusting operations according to temperature-induced changes, maintaining ink quality and preventing nozzle clogging, thus ensuring consistent ejection performance.
Implementation Method 1
using a non-positive displacement pump to reduce pressure and replace ink layers to enhance degassing efficiency
Implementation Method 2
Since an amount of saturated dissolved gas in the ink depends on a temperature of the ink, an amount of bubbles generated from the ink is determined by the temperature change of the ink
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus (1) includes a recording head (21) which ejects a liquid; a bubble countermeasure means for executing a bubble countermeasure treatment determined as a countermeasure against bubbles generated in the liquid; a bubble generation amount calculation means for calculating an amount of bubbles generated from the liquid; and a control device (38) which strengthens the bubble countermeasure treatment when the amount of bubble generation calculated by the bubble generation amount calculation means is larger than a predetermined amount.