Print Head Nozzle Pressure Control for Ink Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing devices experience ink leakage during the movement of print heads between cleaning and printing positions, leading to dried ink on nozzle plates, which negatively affects nozzle performance and print quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller that reduce the physical rest pressure in the nozzles to a printing interruption level lower than the operational level during printing interruptions, such as cleaning or transport, to prevent ink leakage and maintain nozzle functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the print head is moved between cleaning position and printing position, then cleaning functionality is achieved, but ink leaks from the nozzles during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the physical rest pressure of ink in the nozzles to a printing interruption level during cleaning operations and transport phases. This pressure parameter adjustment prevents ink leakage while maintaining proper ink flow during printing operations, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning functionality and ink leakage prevention
2Quantity of substance
If the physical rest pressure of ink is maintained at printing operation level during cleaning, then ink flow is sufficient for printing, but ink leaks from nozzles during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting the physical rest pressure of ink based on the operational state of the print head. During printing phases, pressure is maintained at printing operation level for sufficient ink flow; during cleaning and transport phases, pressure is reduced to printing interruption level to prevent leakage. This dynamic pressure adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining ink flow and preventing leakage
3Reliability
If the print head remains stationary at printing position, then printing operations are stable, but cleaning of the print head cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing pressure adjustment before movement operations. Before moving the print head to cleaning position or transport position, the controller reduces the physical rest pressure to printing interruption level, preventing ink leakage during the subsequent movement. This preliminary pressure adjustment enables the print head to be moved for cleaning without causing leakage, resolving the contradiction between printing stability and cleaning accessibility
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 effectively prevents ink leakage during printing interruptions, ensuring reliable nozzle regeneration and improved print quality by adjusting the negative pressure in the nozzles based on the print head's operating age and nozzle plate condition.
Implementation Method 1
the reduction of a physical rest pressure of the ink in the nozzle to a printing interruption level that is lower than a printing operation level which is used as a rest pressure during a printing phase of the print head
Data Source
AI summary
The negative pressure in the ink chamber of a nozzle of a print head is reduced in a printing interruption phase, in particular upon transport of the print head from a cleaning position into a printing position, relative to the negative pressure in a printing phase. The leaking of ink during the printing interruption phase may thus be reliably avoided, and the print quality may be increased.