Print Head Ink Circulation Control for Dissolved Gas Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses continuously circulate ink to remove dissolved gas, leading to frequent pump replacements and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
Implement a control system that alternates between continuous and intermittent circulation of ink in the circulation path to reduce dissolved gas, minimizing pump usage and extending their lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the printing agent is continuously circulated in the circulation path to remove dissolved gas, then air bubbles are reduced, but pumps are highly frequently replaced causing high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between continuous circulation mode (for effective deaeration when air bubbles are generated) and intermittent circulation mode (for normal operation). The control unit switches between these modes based on whether air bubbles are detected, allowing the system to maintain deaeration effectiveness while reducing pump runtime and extending pump lifespan.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the printing agent is continuously circulated in the circulation path, then dissolved gas is removed, but maintenance cost increases due to frequent pump replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action through two circulation modes: continuous circulation for deaeration operations and intermittent circulation for normal printing operations. This reduces overall pump usage time while maintaining gas removal effectiveness, thereby lowering maintenance costs and extending pump lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the circulation system by adjusting circulation frequency and duration based on air bubble detection. The control unit modifies circulation parameters dynamically - increasing circulation during deaeration needs and reducing it during normal operation - to optimize both deaeration performance and pump longevity.
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
Reduces air bubbles and maintains ink ejection performance while extending the life of liquid feed pumps, thereby lowering maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a removal unit configured to remove dissolved gas in the printing agent circulating through the circulation path
Data Source
AI summary
There are included a print head printing by ejecting printing agent from a nozzle, a circulation path including an internal flow path of the print head communicating with the nozzle, supplying a printing agent to the print head, and collecting the printing agent not ejected from the print head and through which the printing agent circulates, a removal unit configured to remove dissolved gas in the printing agent, and a control unit configured to control the removal unit and printing-agent circulation in the circulation path. Where the internal flow path is filled with the printing agent, in the circulation path, after first circulation control that the printing agent is continuously circulated for first time while the dissolved gas is removed by the removal unit, the control unit performs second circulation control that the printing-agent circulation performed for second time shorter than the first time is performed intermittently.