Print Head Vibration Pulse for Ink Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
During printing interruptions, the viscosity of ink in the nozzles of a print head can change, leading to issues with ink ejection after resuming printing, as the ink may dry or become too viscous, causing blockages or incorrect droplet formation.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a vibration pulse is sent to the print head before reloading print data and sending a print-start signal, triggering vibration oscillations to stir the ink in the nozzles, ensuring optimal ink flow and preventing viscosity changes during printing interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printing operation is interrupted for a brief period, then it is possible to monitor register quality or correct post-processing problems, but the ink viscosity changes in the nozzles causing blockages or incorrect droplet formation after resuming printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by executing a vibration pulse sequence before the print head is activated after an interruption. This pre-vibration stimulates ink flow and prevents viscosity changes before printing resumes, ensuring reliable ink ejection without requiring continuous printing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the vibration pulse sequence that is periodically applied to the print head nozzles. The vibration pulses are applied at specific intervals before printing resumes, creating a rhythmic stimulation that maintains ink流动性 without continuous operation
2Reliability
If flushing medium is flushed through all nozzles within a predetermined cycle, then ink drying during print pause is prevented, but printing time is consumed and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of ink maintenance from the time-consuming flushing process. Instead of flushing physical medium through nozzles, the invention uses vibration pulses to achieve the same protective effect, eliminating the need for flushing time while maintaining nozzle reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flushing system with a vibrational field approach. Instead of using physical flushing medium to prevent ink drying, the invention uses mechanical vibration pulses to stimulate ink flow and prevent viscosity changes, achieving the same protective effect without the time cost of flushing
3Reliability
If piezoelectric activators are vibrated before or after printing, then ink viscosity changes are remedied, but additional time is required for prefire or meniscus vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by executing the vibration pulse sequence immediately before the print head is activated after an interruption. This timing ensures ink is properly stimulated before printing begins, eliminating the need for separate prefire or post-vibration steps and integrating the function into the printing cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by applying vibration pulses only when needed (after interruptions) rather than continuously. The vibration sequence is triggered selectively based on printing status, providing sufficient ink stimulation without unnecessary continuous vibration time
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 method increases printing reliability, prevents data loss, and allows for efficient printing with quick-drying inks, while being cost-effective and ensuring minimal disruptions during printing interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
The activators can generate ink droplets piezoelectrically
Implementation Method 2
sending at least one vibration pulse is sent to the at least one print head to trigger vibration oscillations
Data Source
AI summary
In a method to execute a printing interruption in a printing operation of an ink printing system in which a printing substrate is printed with at least one print head during the printing interruption in which a feed speed of the printing substrate web comes to a standstill, at least one vibration pulse is sent to the at least one print head to trigger vibration oscillations before a print controller loads print data into the at least one print head. Thereafter a print-start signal is sent to the at least one print head.