Printing device and non-transitory computer readable storage medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reaction between ink and the volatile component of a pretreatment agent in a nozzle of an inkjet head leads to issues such as ink aggregation and ejection failure in printing devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a non-ejection drive in the printing device to stir ink in the vicinity of the meniscus and upstream, reducing the reaction between ink and the volatile component of the pretreatment liquid by applying vibration without ejecting ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the inkjet head continuously ejects ink during printing, then printing productivity is maintained, but ink reacts with volatile components of pretreatment liquid causing aggregation and ejection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between ejection drives and non-ejection drives in a cyclic manner. During printing, the inkjet head performs ejection drives to deposit ink, followed by non-ejection drives that generate vibrations without ejecting ink. This periodic alternation prevents continuous reaction between ink and volatile components while maintaining overall printing productivity, as the non-ejection drives are brief interruptions rather than prolonged stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration through non-ejection drives that apply vibrational energy to the ink without causing ejection. These vibrations stir the ink and pretreatment liquid mixture, preventing aggregation and chemical reaction between ink components and volatile substances. The vibration frequency and duration are controlled to achieve mixing without triggering ink ejection, thereby maintaining ejection reliability while preventing harmful reactions.
2Reliability
If the inkjet head stops ejecting ink to prevent reaction with pretreatment liquid, then ink quality is maintained, but printing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous stopping, the system uses periodic non-ejection drives interspersed among ejection drives. This periodic approach maintains ink quality by regularly stirring to prevent reaction, while minimizing productivity loss by keeping the overall ejection process continuous. The brief non-ejection intervals are sufficient to prevent aggregation without significantly interrupting the printing workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical vibration during non-ejection drives provides active ink management without stopping the printing process. The vibrations continuously stir the ink and pretreatment liquid interface, preventing chemical reactions and aggregation that would degrade ink quality. This active mixing approach maintains ink quality more effectively than complete stops, while preserving printing productivity.
3Reliability
If non-ejection drive is performed frequently to prevent ink reaction, then ink aggregation is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic alternation between ejection and non-ejection drives optimizes energy usage by performing non-ejection drives only when necessary to prevent ink reaction, rather than continuously. The timing and frequency of non-ejection drives are controlled based on printing conditions, applying vibrational energy selectively to maintain ink stability only during critical periods when reaction risk is highest, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous non-ejection 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
Reduces the occurrence of problems due to the reaction between ink and the volatile component of the pretreatment liquid, thereby preventing ink aggregation and ejection failure.
Implementation Method 1
apply vibration, by the non-ejection drive, to ink to an extent that the ink is not ejected from a nozzle, and to stir ink in the vicinity of a meniscus and ink upstream of the meniscus
Implementation Method 2
in a case where the pretreatment agent applied to the printing medium volatilizes during printing, a volatile component of the pretreatment agent may react with the ink in a nozzle of the inkjet head
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device includes a head including a nozzle configured to eject ink, a platen configured to support a printing medium to which a pretreatment liquid is applied, the pretreatment liquid containing a volatile component that reacts with the ink, and a controller configured to cause the head to perform an ejection drive that causes the nozzle to eject the ink and a non-ejection drive that causes the nozzle not to eject the ink, and cause the head to perform the non-ejection drive in at least a part of a period other than an ejection period in which the head performs the ejection drive to cause the nozzle to eject the ink toward the printing medium, in a case where the head and the printing medium face each other.