Parallel Ink Stirring and Pressure Reduction for Print Head Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink printing systems that use components prone to precipitation require a lengthy process to achieve uniform ink density, necessitating manual stirring and subsequent choke suction, prolonging the time before the printer is operational.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with an integrated stirring mechanism and pressure control system that simultaneously stirs and pressurizes the ink tank, allowing for parallel operation with the ink supply to the print head, reducing the time required for ink preparation and supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If manual stirring operation is performed before choke suction to achieve uniform ink density, then ink homogeneity is improved, but the time required for ink preparation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stirring mechanism and choke suction function into a single integrated unit. The stirring blades are positioned within the ink tank, and the same unit that performs stirring also executes choke suction by applying negative pressure to the ink supply path, merging two previously separate operations into one unified device that achieves both ink homogenization and air bubble removal simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is configured to execute stirring and choke suction operations in parallel rather than sequentially. The stirring motor and the choke suction mechanism operate simultaneously, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the ink preparation process, thereby eliminating the idle time that would occur between separate stirring and suction operations
2Reliability
If sequential operation of stirring followed by choke suction is performed, then ink supply reliability is improved, but the overall process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring operation is performed in advance during the ink preparation phase, and the control unit is configured to execute stirring and choke suction in parallel. This preliminary stirring action ensures ink homogeneity is achieved before the printing operation begins, while the parallel execution maintains reliability by ensuring both functions are completed before ink supply starts
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically coordinates the operation of the stirring motor and the choke suction mechanism based on real-time conditions. The system can adjust the duration and intensity of stirring and suction operations to optimize both reliability and time efficiency, making the ink preparation process adaptive rather than rigidly sequential
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 configuration significantly reduces the time needed for ink stirring and supply operations, enhancing the efficiency of the printing process by shortening the overall preparation time from 180 seconds to 90 seconds.
Implementation Method 1
opening the valve unit with a negative pressure accumulated in an internal space of a capping unit to generate quick flow of ink on an ink flow path from the ink cartridge to a nozzle opening of the recording head
Implementation Method 2
A method which reduces pressure on the recording head side from a valve on the ink supply path with the valve, provided on the way of the ink supply path, closed to open the valve with a negative pressure accumulated
Implementation Method 3
it is required to stir the ink to make the density of ink uniform
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus, including a print head having a discharge port, a stirring portion configured to stir ink in an ink tank, a valve disposed on a supply path, a cap for capping the discharge port, and a pressure reducing unit configured to reduce pressure in the cap, executes, in parallel, a stirring operation for stirring ink in the ink tank by the stirring portion and a pressure reducing operation for reducing pressure on the print head side from the valve in the supply path by the pressure reducing unit with the valve closed.