Pivotable Capping Station with Thermoelectric Heaters for Ink Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet imaging devices face challenges in maintaining low viscosity of ink at nozzles, especially with quickly drying inks, leading to clogging and reduced operational status of inkjets during printhead inactivity due to evaporation and increased viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A capping station with pivotable members and thermoelectric devices is used to maintain low viscosity of ink at nozzles by forming an ink film and controlling temperature, preventing evaporation and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printhead is left uncovered during inactivity, then the structure remains simple and accessible, but the ink evaporates and viscosity increases causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film heater element that can be conformally applied to the printhead surface, providing thermal protection without adding significant structural complexity. This flexible heating element maintains ink temperature and prevents evaporation during printhead inactivity, thereby preserving inkjet operational status while minimizing device complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capping station as an intermediary component between the printhead and the environment. This capping station includes a heater that acts as a mediator to maintain thermal conditions of the ink, preventing evaporation and viscosity increase. The capping station can be simple in design, providing the necessary thermal protection without excessive structural complexity.
2Reliability
If a capping station is added to protect the printhead, then evaporation is reduced and ink viscosity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a complex integrated system and implements it as a separate, simple capping station with a thin film heater. This modular approach allows the heating function to be added independently, providing evaporation protection and viscosity maintenance while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the ink by applying controlled heating through the capping station. This parameter change prevents the ink from reaching evaporation temperatures, maintaining low viscosity and operational status. The heating approach is simpler than alternative protection methods, thereby managing device complexity while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If heating is applied to maintain ink temperature, then evaporation is prevented and viscosity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or intermittent heating rather than continuous heating. The thin film heater is activated during periods of printhead inactivity when evaporation risk is highest, and can be deactivated during active printing when the printhead is already warm. This periodic action maintains ink viscosity stability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the self-heating effect generated during active printing operations. When the printhead is in use, the actuation process itself generates heat that maintains ink temperature. The thin film heater supplement is only needed during inactivity periods, allowing the system to essentially self-maintain temperature during operation and requiring minimal external energy input during active use.
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 number of inoperative inkjets and preserves ink viscosity, ensuring that inkjets remain operational after periods of inactivity without the need for extensive purging, thereby enhancing printer performance and ink utilization.
Implementation Method 1
at least two thermoelectric devices mounted to the at least two members in a one-to-one correspondence when the at least two members are in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer is configured with capping stations for covering printheads during periods of printer inactivity. Each capping station has a printhead receptacle that encloses a volume, at least two members pivotably mounted to the printhead receptacle so the members can move between a first position where the members are adjacent a wall of the receptacle and a second position where the members extend across the volume of the printhead receptacle, and an actuator operatively connected to the pair of members to move the members between the first position and the second position. A thermoelectric device is mounted to each member. A controller is operatively connected to the actuator to operate the first actuator to move the members between the first position and the second position and to the thermoelectric devices to selectively apply an electrical current to the devices.