Inkjet Ink Circulation Control for Viscosity and Nozzle Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink sticking during inactivity and viscosity deviations outside the appropriate range, leading to printing failures, which prior art does not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a viscosity measurement unit and a control unit that adjusts ink viscosity by periodically supplying solvent through circulation paths during inactivity, ensuring it remains within a predetermined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink is circulated continuously through the circulation path, then ink sticking is prevented, but ink viscosity may deviate from the appropriate range due to prolonged circulation and solvent evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit switches the circulation pump on and off based on circulation time accumulation, creating periodic circulation cycles that prevent ink sticking while allowing viscosity stabilization during non-circulation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The viscosity measurement unit continuously monitors ink viscosity and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the circulation pump operation based on this feedback, reducing circulation when viscosity is appropriate and increasing it when viscosity deviates, creating a closed-loop control system that balances sticking prevention with viscosity stability
2Reliability
If the circulation pump operates continuously, then ink flow is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit switches the circulation pump on and off based on circulation time accumulation, creating periodic circulation cycles that maintain ink flow while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural ink flow and gravity to maintain ink movement in the circulation path during non-pump periods. The circulation path design allows ink to flow back to the ink container without pump assistance, reducing the need for continuous energy input
3Stability of the object's composition
If solvent is supplied frequently to adjust viscosity, then ink viscosity remains within range, but ink waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The viscosity measurement unit continuously monitors ink viscosity and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts solvent supply frequency and amount based on this feedback, supplying solvent only when viscosity deviates from the appropriate range, thereby minimizing ink waste while maintaining viscosity control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the viscosity parameter by controlling solvent supply timing and amount. Instead of frequent small adjustments, the system makes targeted viscosity corrections based on actual measured values, reducing unnecessary solvent addition and associated ink waste
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 solution effectively prevents ink sticking and automatically adjusts viscosity, enhancing the apparatus's reliability and reducing ink waste by only discarding a portion of the ink when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a viscosity measurement unit which measures viscosity of the ink contained in the ink container
Implementation Method 2
a circulation path equipped with a pump for circulation to return a part of the ink supplied to the print head to the ink container
Implementation Method 3
a collection path equipped with a pump for collection to suck the ink spouted out from the nozzle of the print head and collect the ink to the ink container
Implementation Method 4
a solvent supply path makes a connection between a solvent container and the nozzle for the purpose of cleaning the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus is made capable of preventing ink from sticking during inactivity of the apparatus and, when viscosity of ink contained in a main ink container has fallen outside an appropriate range of viscosity, adjusting ink viscosity to fall within the appropriate range. The apparatus is configured to perform repetitively supplying a solvent contained in a solvent container to the print head and letting the solvent flow back to an ink container through a circulation path and a collection path at intervals of a certain period of time during inactivity of printing by the print head through controlling the print head and a main body.