Inkjet Printer Bubble Blocking Unit Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face issues with bubbles entering the outflow path from the ink storage unit, leading to defective ink discharge and missing dots in printed images due to the presence of bubbles in the ink flow.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus is designed with a bubble blocking unit, such as a receptacle or partition wall, positioned inside the ink storage unit to prevent bubbles from entering the outflow path, utilizing buoyancy to redirect bubbles away from the ink discharge head, thereby preventing defective ink discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink is stored in an ink storage unit with inflow and outflow paths, then ink supply to the discharge head is enabled, but bubbles contained in the ink may enter the outflow path and cause defective discharge
Solution Approach 1:
A bubble blocking unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the inflow path and outflow path. This unit includes a receptacle with an opening positioned above the outflow path, which intercepts bubbles before they can enter the outflow path, thereby preventing defective discharge while maintaining ink supply efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble blocking unit extracts and removes bubbles from the ink flow. By positioning the receptacle opening above the outflow path, bubbles are separated from the ink stream and eliminated from the system before they can cause discharge defects
2Speed
If the outflow path outlet is positioned below the inlet, then ink flow is facilitated, but bubbles can more easily enter the outflow path from the inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble blocking unit serves as a mediator that intercepts bubbles before they can exploit the gravity-assisted entry path from the inlet to the outlet. The receptacle opening positioned above the outflow path creates a physical barrier that blocks bubbles regardless of the outlet's vertical position
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the blocking action to a different spatial dimension by positioning the receptacle opening above the outflow path rather than relying solely on vertical positioning. This dimensional approach to bubble blocking effectively prevents bubble entry while maintaining the beneficial below-inlet outlet position for ink flow
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 solution effectively reduces the occurrence of defective ink discharge and missing dots in printed images by ensuring bubbles are blocked from reaching the ink discharge head, enhancing the printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
the movement is blocked at a position along the path by the receptacle and the bubbles rise toward the liquid surface due to their buoyancy
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: an ink discharge head that discharges UV ink; a sub-tank that stores the UV ink; a forward circulation path through which the UV ink flowing out from the sub-tank to the ink discharge head flows; an inflow path through which the UV ink flowing into the sub-tank flows; and a receptacle that is provided inside the sub-tank and blocks bubbles contained in the UV ink flowing into the sub-tank from the inflow path, from entering the forward circulation path.