Inkjet Textile Printing with Penetrant Cleaning Between Ink Switches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet textile printing faces challenges in achieving uniform image density between printing and non-printing surfaces without increasing the complexity and size of the printing apparatus, particularly when switching between different inks, which can cause color mixing and nozzle clogging.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a penetrant liquid to facilitate ink penetration into the fabric and serve as a cleaning agent, allowing for bidirectional printing that ensures visibility from both surfaces while reducing the need for separate cleaning liquids and minimizing apparatus complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single inkjet apparatus is used to print with different types of ink, then space efficiency is improved, but color mixing and nozzle clogging occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ejecting penetrant liquid from the first nozzle before switching to a different ink type. This penetrant liquid cleans the nozzle interior in advance, preventing color mixing and clogging when switching between different ink types, thereby maintaining nozzle reliability while using a single apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrant liquid serves as an intermediary substance between different ink types. It is ejected from the first nozzle to clean the nozzle interior, acting as a mediator that prevents direct contact between incompatible inks, thus avoiding color mixing and chemical reactions that would cause clogging
2Manufacturing precision
If penetrant liquid is ejected from a dedicated first nozzle, then ink penetration and cleaning effectiveness are improved, but apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first nozzle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a penetrant liquid ejection nozzle for cleaning and as a functional printing nozzle. This universal design allows the same nozzle structure to perform multiple tasks, improving image density uniformity without significantly increasing apparatus complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the penetrant liquid ejection function with the existing nozzle structure. By integrating the cleaning function into the first nozzle that already exists in the apparatus, the design combines multiple functions into a single component, achieving improved cleaning effectiveness while minimizing structural complexity
3Ease of repair
If separate cleaning liquids are used for different inks, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the number of liquid types and apparatus complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrant liquid is designed with universal cleaning capability that works effectively for multiple different ink types including dye-based inks and pigment inks. This single multi-functional cleaning solution eliminates the need for maintaining separate cleaning liquid systems, reducing apparatus complexity while preserving cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrant liquid is formulated with adjustable chemical parameters that allow it to adapt to different ink types. By changing its chemical composition parameters, the same penetrant liquid can effectively clean various ink residues, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cleaning liquids and simplifying the liquid management 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 approach achieves uniform image density on both surfaces, reduces nozzle clogging, and simplifies the apparatus design by using a single type of penetrant liquid for multiple inks, enhancing printing efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a penetrant liquid that facilitates penetration of the textile printing colored liquid into the fabric
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first penetrant liquid and the second penetrant liquid is ejected from the second nozzle between printing with the first textile printing colored liquid and printing with the second textile printing colored liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The inkjet textile printing method includes: printing onto a first fabric with a first textile printing colored liquid using a step for ejecting a first penetrant liquid from a first nozzle onto a first surface of the first fabric and a step for ejecting the first textile printing colored liquid from a second nozzle onto the first surface; printing onto a second fabric with a second textile printing colored liquid using a step for ejecting a second penetrant liquid from the first nozzle onto a first surface of the second fabric and a step for ejecting the second textile printing colored liquid from the second nozzle onto the first surface; and discharging at least one of the first penetrant liquid and the second penetrant liquid from the second nozzle between printing with the first textile printing colored liquid and printing with the second textile printing colored liquid.