Inkjet Ink Collector with Parallel Suction Paths for Mist Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink droplets ejected during flushing in inkjet recording apparatuses often turn into a mist before reaching the ink receiver due to the conveyance belt being disposed between the recording head and the ink receiver, causing contamination inside the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a recording head, a conveyance belt with openings, an ink collector opposed to the recording head via the conveyance belt, and a suction portion with parallel first flow paths and a merging chamber to collect ink droplets efficiently, using a suction fan to prevent mist formation and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conveyance belt is disposed between the recording head and the ink receiver, then the recording medium can be conveyed for printing, but the ink receiver cannot be disposed in the neighborhood of the ink ejection surface, causing ink droplets to turn into mist and contaminate the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The ink collector is positioned in a different spatial dimension (below the conveyance belt) rather than directly in line with the recording head, allowing ink collection without interfering with the conveyance belt's function of transporting the recording medium between the recording head and ink receiver
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance belt with openings serves as an intermediary structure that allows ink droplets to pass through to the ink collector below while maintaining the physical separation needed for the recording medium conveyance function
2Reliability
If flushing is performed to prevent nozzle clogging, then ink is ejected through the nozzles to clean them, but the ink droplets turn into mist before reaching the ink receiver, causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (ink mist) is extracted and directed away from the apparatus interior by the suction portion, which actively removes ink droplets and mist from the air in the ink collector and prevents them from contaminating the recording head and other components
Solution Approach 2:
The suction portion uses pneumatic principles to create negative pressure that actively draws ink droplets and mist through the suction paths and removes them from the system, preventing mist formation and contamination
3Device complexity
If a single suction path is used to collect ink from the ink receiver, then the structure is simple, but ink collection efficiency is insufficient leading to mist formation
Solution Approach 1:
The suction path is segmented into multiple parallel first flow paths (multiple suction channels) that collectively increase the total suction capacity and ink collection efficiency while maintaining relatively simple individual path structures
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple parallel first flow paths are merged into a single suction outlet that connects to the suction portion, combining the benefits of multiple collection channels with a simple unified exit structure
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 effectively collects ink droplets and prevents mist formation, reducing contamination and maintaining the apparatus's cleanliness by enhancing ink collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The suction portion sucks air in the ink collector
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a conveyance belt, a control portion, an ink collector, and a suction portion. The ink collector includes a plurality of ink receivers that receives ink that has passed through openings of the conveyance belt during execution of flushing and a suction path leading from each of the ink receivers to the suction portion. The suction path includes a plurality of first flow paths each connected to each of the plurality of ink receivers and a merging chamber in which the plurality of first flow paths merges together and that is linked to the suction portion. As each of the first flow paths, the plurality of first flow paths is provided in parallel between each of the ink receivers and the merging chamber.