Print Head Suction Device for Turbulence Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air currents between the print head and the print substrate during printing can cause unsteady air flow, leading to inaccurate placement of print agent and reduced print quality due to turbulence.
Innovation Solution
A suction device is used to draw air from between the print head and the platen, with a movable inlet that adjusts clearance to establish a steady air flow, primarily drawing air from within the printing zone when the clearance is small, thereby reducing turbulence and improving print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a suction device is used to draw air from between the print head and the platen, then air flow steadiness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A suction device is introduced as an intermediary component between the print head and platen to actively manage air flow. The suction device includes a suction source and a movable inlet that can be positioned at different clearances from the platen to optimize air flow extraction and establish steady laminar flow patterns in the printing zone.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the inlet clearance is made small to draw more air from within the printing zone, then air flow steadiness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet of the suction device is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the clearance between the inlet and the platen. This movement capability enables the system to achieve optimal air flow extraction without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances, as the clearance can be adjusted during operation to account for manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The clearance parameter between the inlet and platen can be varied to optimize system performance. By changing this geometric parameter, the system can draw the desired amount of air from the printing zone while compensating for manufacturing tolerances, thereby maintaining air flow steadiness without demanding ultra-precise manufacturing.
3Device complexity
If the suction device draws air from a large clearance, then device complexity is reduced, but air flow steadiness deteriorates due to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device serves as an intermediary that actively extracts air from the printing zone, creating a controlled flow pattern. Even at larger clearances, the suction source generates sufficient negative pressure to draw air through the printing zone, maintaining flow steadiness while allowing for less complex positioning mechanisms compared to contact-based solutions.
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 enhances print quality by maintaining a steady air flow, reducing power consumption, and allowing precise control of print agent application without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances or component positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device (5) having an inlet (6). The suction device (5) is to draw air from between the print head (4) and the platen (2) through the inlet (6)
Implementation Method 2
Actively drawing air from between the print head (4) and the platen (2) and into the inlet (6), however, may establish a steady air flow between the print head (4) and the platen (2), for example by reducing turbulence or causing a laminar flow
Data Source
AI summary
Print apparatus comprises: a platen to support a print substrate; a print head to apply print agent to a print substrate supported by the platen, the print head being movable relative to the platen to vary a distance therebetween; and a suction device having an inlet, the suction device to draw air from between the print head and the platen and into the inlet. The inlet of the suction device is movable with the print head to vary a clearance between the inlet and the platen.