Liquid Ejection Head Pressure and Temperature Control for Ink Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing systems face ejection failures when using high-viscosity inks on non-absorbent media, and temperature adjustment of circulating ink is time-consuming, leading to decreased productivity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head with a circulation channel incorporating a first and second pressure adjusting unit, a pump, and a temperature adjusting unit, which controls ink pressure and temperature to prevent ejection failures while maintaining productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink temperature is adjusted to prevent ejection failures, then ejection reliability is improved, but adjustment time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation channel continuously circulates ink before ejection, pre-adjusting its temperature and viscosity to optimal ranges. This preliminary action ensures ink is always ready for ejection without requiring time-consuming temperature adjustment before each printing task, thus improving reliability while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the ink through controlled circulation, transforming it from a static property to a dynamically adjustable one. By maintaining ink temperature within an optimal range during circulation, the system prevents ejection failures without requiring lengthy pre-heating or cooling periods, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-viscosity ink is used for non-absorbent media, then printing quality is improved, but ejection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation channel dynamically adjusts ink viscosity by controlling temperature and circulation rate. High-viscosity ink is maintained for printing quality on non-absorbent media, while circulation prevents excessive thickening that would cause ejection failures. This parameter control allows the system to simultaneously achieve both printing quality and ejection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous circulation of ink ensures that high-viscosity ink properties are maintained for quality printing while simultaneously preventing localized thickening or stagnation that would cause ejection failures. The continuous motion keeps the ink in an optimal state for both quality and reliability.
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 suppresses ejection failures of high-viscosity inks on non-absorbent media without significantly reducing productivity by efficiently adjusting ink pressure and temperature within the circulation channel.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature adjusting unit configured to adjust a temperature of liquid
Implementation Method 2
Ink generally has the characteristic that its viscosity varies with temperature
Implementation Method 3
a pump configured to send liquid
Implementation Method 4
a first pressure adjusting unit configured to be controlled to have a predetermined pressure; a second pressure adjusting unit configured to be controlled to have a lower pressure than the predetermined pressure
Data Source
AI summary
In a circulation channel, which is configured at least with an ejection unit, a first pressure adjusting unit, a second pressure adjusting unit, a pump, and a temperature adjusting unit, liquid supplied from the outside flows into the first pressure adjusting unit and then flows out of the first pressure adjusting unit into the ejection unit and the second pressure adjusting unit. The liquid that has flowed out of the ejection unit and the liquid that has flowed out of the first pressure adjusting unit flow into the second pressure adjusting unit and then flow out of the second pressure adjusting unit into the pump. The pump sends the liquid that has flowed out of the second pressure adjusting unit to the first pressure adjusting unit, and the temperature of the circulating liquid is adjusted by the temperature adjusting unit.