Inkjet Printhead Suction Control for Filter Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing apparatuses face issues with ink discharge failures due to foreign substances entering the ink channel, leading to nozzle clogging, especially when the ink tank is detached and the filter is exposed to air, causing ink viscosity to increase and filter clogging.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a detection unit to determine if the ink tank is mounted, and a suction unit to remove ink from the printhead nozzles if the tank is not attached, preventing ink adhesion and discharge failures by maintaining a filter free from air exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ink tank is detached from the printhead for exchange, then the ink channel can be accessed for maintenance or replacement, but the filter is exposed to air causing ink viscosity to increase and leading to filter clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit performs preliminary suction of ink from the nozzles before the ink tank is fully detached or during the exchange process. This preliminary action removes excess ink from the nozzles that would otherwise be exposed to air and cause viscosity increase, thereby preventing filter clogging while maintaining the ease of ink tank exchange
Solution Approach 2:
The suction unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ink tank exchange process and the filter protection. It mediates the potential harm of air exposure by actively removing ink from the nozzles during the transition state, ensuring that the filter remains unclogged while allowing convenient ink tank replacement
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is provided to prevent foreign substances from entering the ink channel, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but the filter itself becomes susceptible to clogging when exposed to air for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The suction operation converts the potential harm of ink exposure to air (which causes viscosity increase and filter clogging) into a beneficial process. By actively suctioning ink from the nozzles during and after tank exchange, the system uses the suction mechanism to prevent the very clogging that the filter is designed to prevent, thereby maintaining filter functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service maintenance through the suction unit that automatically or manually removes ink from the nozzles during the ink tank exchange process. This self-service action prevents filter clogging without requiring external intervention or complex additional mechanisms, maintaining both foreign substance prevention and filter reliability
3Reliability
If the suction unit operates continuously to prevent ink adhesion, then ink discharge failure is prevented, but ink is wasted and the suction unit consumes unnecessary energy when the ink tank is properly mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit operates periodically rather than continuously, specifically activating during ink tank exchange operations when the filter is vulnerable to clogging. The control unit detects the exchange state and triggers suction only at these periodic intervals, preventing ink adhesion and discharge failures while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal printing operations with the ink tank properly mounted
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from detecting the ink tank mounting state to regulate suction unit operation. When the detection unit indicates the ink tank is not mounted or is being exchanged, the control unit activates the suction unit. When the ink tank is properly mounted, the suction unit is deactivated. This feedback-based control ensures reliability during critical moments while minimizing energy waste during normal operation
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
Prevents ink adhesion and discharge failures, ensuring high-quality printing by effectively managing filter exposure and maintaining ink flow even when the ink tank is exchanged.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit configured to suck out ink from the plurality of nozzles of the printhead
Implementation Method 2
a filter member is arranged between the ink tank and the printhead
Data Source
AI summary
The invention has been made to prevent ink adhesion or an ink discharge failure caused by ink adhesion due to evaporation of volatile components of ink which occurs when the ink receptor of a printhead is exposed to air for a long time. If an inkjet printhead and an ink tank containing ink to be supplied to the printhead are attached to a carriage, the ink supply port of the ink tank is pressed to the ink receptor of the printhead. In this arrangement, the presence/absence of attachment of the ink tank to the carriage is detected. If it is detected that the ink tank is not attached to the carriage, a suction operation for the printhead is performed and controlled to suck out ink from the nozzles of the printhead.