Printer Absorption Body for Ink Mist Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink mist discharged by a printer's head can attach to the carriage and potentially fall onto the print medium, contaminating it.

Innovation Solution

An absorption body is provided on the support plate, exposed to the platen, which absorbs liquid ink mist, reducing the likelihood of it falling onto the print medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the discharge head discharges ink during printing, then printing function is achieved, but ink mist may attach to the carriage and fall onto the print medium causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionVSAvoidink contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An absorption body is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the carriage and the print medium. This absorption body captures ink mist that detaches from the carriage, preventing it from reaching and contaminating the print medium. The absorption body serves as a mediator that intercepts the harmful ink particles before they can affect the printed output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful ink mist that would otherwise contaminate the print medium into a beneficial absorption process. The absorption body is designed to selectively absorb ink particles while allowing air and normal printing operations to proceed unaffected. This transforms the harmful contamination issue into a controlled absorption function that protects the print quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an absorption body is added to prevent ink contamination, then print medium cleanliness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint medium cleanlinessVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption body is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs ink mist, maintains airflow for cooling, and does not interfere with the printing process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption body utilizes porous material properties to achieve ink mist absorption through its structure rather than through complex mechanical means. The porous structure naturally captures ink particles while maintaining permeability for air flow, providing an effective yet structurally simple solution that minimizes added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 absorption body effectively minimizes the risk of ink contamination on the print medium by capturing ink mist before it can reach the print surface, ensuring cleaner prints.

Implementation Method 1

The absorption body is exposed to the platen and is configured to absorb liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12172445B2Printer and absorption body

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printer that includes a platen, a head, a support plate, and an absorption body. A print medium is placed on the platen. The head includes a nozzle surface and is configured to discharge ink, in a discharge direction, from the nozzle surface. The support plate is configured to support the head. The absorption body is provided on the discharge direction of the support plate. The absorption body is exposed to the platen and is configured to absorb liquid.