Print Bar Heating Control to Prevent Nozzle Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In page wide printers, idle periods lead to nozzle blockages due to cooling and heating of printing material, resulting in hundreds of nozzles becoming blocked as the material absorbs and releases air, affecting printing performance.
Innovation Solution
A temperature management system that adjusts the print bar heating and control power supplies based on print speed, actuating them only when necessary and de-actuating after the last physical medium is printed to prevent overheating and cooling, thereby reducing operational temperature and preventing nozzle blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the print bar heating power supply is continuously actuated to maintain printing material temperature, then nozzle blockages are prevented, but energy consumption increases and overheating may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic heating cycles where the print bar heating power supply is actuated only during printing operations and deactivated during idle periods. This periodic action maintains printing material temperature during use while preventing energy waste and overheating during non-use, directly resolving the contradiction between preventing nozzle blockages and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the printing material before the printing head begins operation, ensuring the material reaches optimal temperature in advance. This preliminary action prevents nozzle blockages from the outset while allowing the system to reduce or stop heating afterward, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating
2Reliability
If the print bar heating power supply is actuated during idle periods to prevent cooling, then nozzle blockages are prevented, but unnecessary energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system switches from continuous heating to periodic heating where the print bar heating power supply is activated only during printing operations and deactivated during idle periods. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining nozzle functionality during use while eliminating energy waste during non-use through systematic on/off cycling
3Manufacturing precision
If the print bar control power supply is continuously actuated to control printing material ejection, then printing precision is maintained, but operational temperature increases causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The print bar control power supply is actuated periodically during printing operations and deactivated during idle periods. This periodic control maintains printing precision when needed while allowing temperature to stabilize during non-use, resolving the contradiction between maintaining precision and preventing temperature-induced instability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of the print bar control power supply based on printing conditions, actuating it only when printing material ejection is required. This parameter change approach maintains printing precision during operation while preventing excessive temperature buildup that would cause instability during idle periods
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 approach reduces nozzle blockages by managing the operational temperature of the print bar, ensuring efficient printing by preventing air bubbles from forming and maintaining the printing material in an optimal state for ejection, thus enhancing printing device performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
actuating a print bar heating power supply and a print bar control power supply to respectively heat and control operation of a print bar
Implementation Method 2
reduces the operational temperature associated with the print bar
Data Source
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AI summary
In some examples, printing device temperature management may include ascertaining a print speed associated with a print job, and comparing the print speed to a print speed threshold. Printing device temperature management may further include actuating a power supply associated with a print bar at a start position of physical medium to be utilized for printing for the print job, or at or beyond a specified location along a path associated with traversal of the physical medium from the start position to a print zone to reduce an operational temperature associated with the print bar.