Piezoelectric Inkjet Nozzle Meniscus Control for Plain Paper Soiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses face challenges in preventing soiling of print media with rough surfaces, such as plain paper, due to ink droplet contact with fibers during the printing process, leading to potential ink transmission through capillary action.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a piezoelectric element that adjusts the meniscus position in the nozzle to maintain a greater separation from the orifice surface during initial passes and reduce contact with fibers, especially for plain paper printing modes, thereby minimizing the risk of ink transmission to the print medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the meniscus position is kept close to the orifice surface for efficient ink ejection, then printing productivity is improved, but the risk of ink transmission through capillary action increases when printing on rough surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the meniscus position adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the meniscus position based on the selected printing mode (photographic paper mode or plain paper mode), allowing the system to adapt its behavior to different printing requirements and eliminate the need for a fixed compromise position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of meniscus position according to different printing conditions. By switching between two distinct meniscus positions (first position for photographic paper, second position for plain paper), the system optimizes both printing efficiency and prevention of capillary action depending on the paper type being used
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the meniscus position is separated further from the orifice surface to prevent fiber contact, then ink transmission is reduced, but printing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the meniscus position based on the printing mode selected. When plain paper mode is selected, the meniscus is positioned further from the orifice to prevent fiber contact and soiling. When photographic paper mode is selected, the meniscus is positioned closer for faster ink ejection. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the protective measure conditional rather than constant
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by switching between two discrete meniscus positions. The control unit receives mode selection input and accordingly sets the meniscus position parameter to either the first position (closer to orifice) or second position (further from orifice), optimizing the balance between productivity and soiling prevention for each paper type
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 reduces the risk of soiling by maintaining a controlled meniscus position, ensuring ink droplets are ejected without coming into contact with fibers, even during multiple passes, thus preventing ink transmission and maintaining print quality.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element configured to be displaced in response to voltage of a drive signal; a cavity in which ink is filled, and whose internal volume is increased or decreased by displacement of the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
the tips of the composite fibers touch the tips of the nozzles and are transmitted to the print medium, which indicates the possibility of soiling the print medium... the risk of the fibers of the paper coming into contact with the ink held in the nozzle and transmitting ink to the print medium through the fibers (through capillary action)
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a piezoelectric element; a cavity whose internal volume is increased or decreased by displacement of the piezoelectric element; a nozzle connected to the cavity and ejecting the ink as ink droplets onto a print medium by increasing or decreasing of the internal volume of the cavity; a printing mode receiver receiving selection of at least one photographic paper printing mode for printing onto photographic paper and at least two plain paper printing modes for printing onto plain paper from among printing modes; and a control unit controlling a meniscus position in the nozzle to be separated further from an orifice surface of the nozzle when the selection of one plain paper printing mode from among the at least two plain paper printing modes is received by the printing mode receiver than when the selection of the photographic paper printing mode is received.