Liquid Recirculation Control for Printhead Particle Settling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer technologies face productivity losses due to the inability to maintain equal suspension of dispersed particles in printheads during printing mode, leading to potential clogging and reduced image quality, as liquid circulation can only be performed in maintenance mode and not during active printing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an intermediate liquid reservoir and multiple liquid handling systems with controlled valves allows for dynamic regulation of liquid recirculation, prioritizing agitation in printheads with higher or lower liquid consumption, and adjusting circulation times based on consumption patterns to prevent settling during both printing and maintenance modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid circulation is performed through all printheads simultaneously using a single liquid handling system, then liquid agitation is achieved to prevent particle settling, but productivity is reduced because circulation can only be performed in maintenance mode
Solution Approach 1:
The single liquid handling system is divided into multiple independent liquid handling systems (first liquid handling system, second liquid handling system, etc.), each capable of independently circulating liquid through its associated printhead. This segmentation allows selective circulation in specific printheads during printing mode, preventing particle settling without requiring complete system shutdown and maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If liquid circulation is performed in printing mode through printheads with different liquid consumption, then productivity is maintained, but unequal agitation occurs causing particle settling in printheads with lower liquid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation parameters for each liquid handling system are made dynamic and adjustable based on real-time printing conditions. The controller can independently regulate the circulation speed, flow rate, and duration for each printhead, allowing adaptation to varying liquid consumption patterns. This ensures adequate agitation in all printheads regardless of their current liquid usage, maintaining suspension stability while operating in printing mode.
Solution Approach 2:
Each liquid handling system is equipped with independent control capabilities, allowing localized adjustment of circulation parameters according to the specific needs of each printhead. Printheads with lower liquid consumption can receive enhanced circulation attention, while those with higher consumption require less intervention, optimizing agitation effectiveness across the entire system.
3Reliability
If maintenance frequency is increased to ensure adequate agitation in all printheads, then particle settling is prevented, but productivity is reduced due to more frequent maintenance interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous or near-continuous liquid circulation in each printhead by operating multiple liquid handling systems in parallel during printing mode. Instead of periodic maintenance interruptions, the circulation action continues continuously alongside printing operations, ensuring constant particle agitation and suspension stability without sacrificing productivity.
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 approach ensures continuous agitation of dispersed particles in all printheads, reducing maintenance frequency and maintaining image quality by allowing liquid recirculation during printing, thus minimizing productivity losses and preventing particle settling.
Implementation Method 1
a means for recirculating a liquid to the intermediate liquid reservoir... activate the means for recirculating a liquid to start recirculation of the liquid from the printhead in the first liquid handling system back to the intermediate liquid reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a valve to regulate the recirculation... opening the valve to regulate the recirculation in the first liquid handling system; closing the valve to regulate the recirculation in the at least one second liquid handling system
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for circulating a liquid in a printer to prevent settling of dispersed particles in the liquid anywhere in said printer by controlling the recirculation of liquid for each printhead in said printer.