Printer Cooling Distributor for Uniform Print Head Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-capacity printers with multiple inkjet print heads, uneven air cooling can lead to inconsistent operating temperatures among print heads, affecting print quality and service life, and existing designs complicate maintenance due to interference from mechanical cooling elements.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a distributor that supplies cooling air vertically to print heads and exhausts heated air, allowing for uniform temperature maintenance and easy access, with options for fresh air intake from the environment and heat exchanger integration for closed-loop cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air cooling is used to dissipate thermal energy from print heads, then operating temperature control is improved, but uniform temperature distribution across multiple print heads deteriorates due to irregular air feed
Solution Approach 1:
The air cooling system is segmented into multiple independent channels, with each channel serving a specific print head. This segmentation ensures that each print head receives dedicated cooling air flow, eliminating the irregular air feed that caused temperature variations across different print heads.
Solution Approach 2:
Each print head is provided with individually optimized cooling air channels that deliver cooling air directly to the specific location of each print head. This local quality approach ensures that each print head receives appropriate cooling based on its specific thermal conditions, achieving uniform temperature distribution across all print heads.
2Temperature
If mechanical cooling elements are added to the printer, then cooling efficiency is improved, but ease of maintenance deteriorates due to interference with print head access
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical cooling elements are extracted and integrated into the distributor structure itself, rather than being separate components. The distributor channels are designed to provide cooling air to the print heads without requiring additional mechanical cooling devices that would obstruct maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor serves multiple functions: it distributes ink to the print heads and simultaneously provides cooling air channels to dissipate heat from the print heads. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical cooling elements that would interfere with maintenance access.
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
Ensures consistent operating temperatures across multiple print heads, reduces the risk of air stalls, and simplifies maintenance by maintaining a compact design and minimizing mechanical interference during service.
Implementation Method 1
A distributor is provided for air and a coupling unit is arranged stationary in the printer frame and via which air is supplied to the distributor. The distributor comprises at least one cooling air segment to supply cooling air in a vertical direction to the print heads
Implementation Method 2
The print heads comprise an electronic activation element whose power loss heats the print heads and the ink that is used. In order to not exceed the operating temperatures required for the print heads and for the ink that is used, the thermal energy arising due to electrical power loss must be dissipated
Data Source
AI summary
In a printer for printing a recording material, a printer frame bears a printing unit with a plurality of print heads arranged substantially horizontal and transverse to a transport direction of the recording material. A distributor is provided for air and a coupling unit is arranged stationary in the printer frame and via which air is supplied to the distributor. The distributor comprises at least one cooling air segment to supply cooling air in a vertical direction to the print heads and at least one exhaust air segment to discharge heated air.