Mist Collection Apparatus With Segmented Blowout Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing apparatuses face challenges in effectively collecting mist generated from liquid ejection heads, leading to contamination and print quality issues due to the difficulty in accurately forming long blowout ports and inefficient mist collection, especially when the print head is extended for wider prints.
Innovation Solution
A mist collection apparatus with a blowout port divided into multiple pieces coupled together, featuring a partition between the outlets to ensure gas flows join and uniformly reach the sheet, enhancing mist collection performance even at coupling portions, and a suction port to collect the mist, thereby preventing contamination and maintaining print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the blowout port is extended to cover a long print head for wider prints, then the mist collection coverage is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase due to the complexity of forming long continuous ports
Solution Approach 1:
The blowout port is divided into multiple discrete ports arranged in series along the print head. Each port is formed independently, avoiding the manufacturing complexity of forming a single long continuous port while collectively providing extended mist collection coverage across the entire print head width.
2Ease of manufacture
If the blowout port is divided into multiple separate ports, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the gas flow continuity and mist collection efficiency may deteriorate at the coupling portions between ports
Solution Approach 1:
A partition structure is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent blowout ports. This partition extends from the front surface of the print head toward the rear, creating a controlled flow path that guides gas from one port to the next. The partition ensures gas flow continuity and maintains mist collection efficiency at the coupling portions between separate ports.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a single long blowout port is used, then the gas flow continuity is improved, but the manufacturing precision required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous blowout port is segmented into multiple shorter ports formed independently. Each port requires lower manufacturing precision compared to forming a single long port, while the partition structures between ports maintain the overall gas flow continuity and directionality toward the sheet.
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 solution achieves a high mist collection rate of 95%, ensuring reliable mist collection and preventing contamination, while maintaining print quality by uniformly distributing gas flows and preventing mist adherence to the coupling portions.
Implementation Method 1
a blowout port provided in a vicinity of the head and configured to blow out gas
Implementation Method 2
a suction port provided in a vicinity of the head and configured to suck the gas including the mist
Data Source
AI summary
A blowout port for gas is efficiently configured without impairing mist collection performance. Two blowout ports for gas are adjacent to each other by interposing a partition. An end of the partition is provided at a position near a deep side of the two blowout ports relative to ends of the two blowout ports so as to form a step.