Printing Head Airflow Layout for Condensation Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face condensation issues in the printing head due to humidity changes, leading to potential droplet fallout and reduced image quality, while existing solutions to mitigate this issue often result in increased apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus design incorporating a printing unit with ejection ports arrayed in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance path, utilizing a first air flow generation unit and a heat source to generate and direct heated air flows through the ejection port surface, suppressing condensation without increasing the apparatus size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blow-out structure is provided between two printing heads to vent air under the printing head, then condensation in the printing head is suppressed, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air flow generation function with the existing printing head structure by positioning the air flow generation unit to overlap with the printing head in the conveyance direction. This merging approach allows the吹出 structure to be integrated within the existing apparatus footprint rather than adding separate external components, thus suppressing condensation without significantly increasing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of blow-out structures between printing heads to a vertical arrangement where the air flow generation unit is positioned above the printing head in the conveyance direction. This dimensional change allows the air flow to be generated and directed downward through the printing head, achieving condensation suppression within the existing spatial envelope.
2Reliability
If heated air flow is generated and directed through the ejection port surface, then condensation is suppressed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air flow generation unit serve multiple functions: it generates air flow for condensation suppression and simultaneously utilizes the existing heat source for heating the air flow. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve both condensation suppression and energy efficiency by repurposing existing components rather than adding separate heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing heat source to heat the air flow generated by the air flow generation unit, creating a self-service mechanism where the apparatus utilizes its inherent resources (heat source) to accomplish the condensation suppression function without requiring external energy input.
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
Effectively prevents condensation in the printing head by maintaining a low relative humidity environment at the ejection port surface, ensuring consistent image quality without enlarging the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source that can generate heat, in which the first air flow generation unit and the printing unit are arranged in a position in which the first air flow generation unit and the printing unit overlap in the first direction, and the air flow generated by the first air flow generation unit passes through the heat source and reaches an ejection port surface
Implementation Method 2
a first air flow generation unit that can generate an air flow... the air flow generated by the first air flow generation unit passes through the heat source and reaches an ejection port surface
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus that can suppress occurrence of condensation in a printing head without causing an increase in size of the apparatus is provided. To this end, a first air flow generation structure is arranged in a position that is not in a conveyance direction with respect to the printing head and arranged so as to be able to blow an air flow to an ejection port surface of the printing head. In addition, a heat source is provided between a first air flow generation unit and the printing head to increase a temperature of the air flow from the first air flow generation structure.