Inkjet Printing Head Volume Variable Unit Ink Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing serial type ink jet printing apparatuses face complications in configuration and control due to the integration of ink circulation devices, leading to ink evaporation and thickening near the ejection port, which requires frequent preliminary ejection processing, reducing printing speed and consuming unnecessary ink.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus employs a pressure variation mechanism within the printing head's supply tube to move ink near the ejection port during reciprocal movement, inhibiting evaporation and thickening without a circulation pump, using a volume variable unit and inertial force to manage ink flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ink circulation device is integrally formed with the ink jet head, then ink can be circulated near the nozzle, but the configuration of the printing head becomes complicated and the controls become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ink circulation function from the integrated ink jet head configuration and implements it through a separate mechanism. The ink jet head is divided into functional components: a first liquid chamber connected to the ink supply, a pressure chamber for ejection, and a second liquid chamber with a variable volume unit. This separation allows ink circulation to be achieved through volume changes in the second liquid chamber rather than requiring an integrated circulation device, thereby reducing the printing head configuration complexity while maintaining ink circulation capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ink is circulated near the nozzle using an integrated circulation device, then ink evaporation can be inhibited, but the printing head configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a self-service mechanism where the ink jet head's own structure enables ink circulation without requiring external circulation devices. The variable volume unit in the second liquid chamber creates pressure changes that automatically circulate ink near the nozzle during the printing operation. This self-circulation mechanism inhibits ink evaporation and thickening while maintaining a simple printing head configuration, as the system uses its inherent structural components rather than adding separate circulation equipment.
3Reliability
If preliminary ejection processing is performed frequently to address ink thickening, then ejection port clogging can be prevented, but printing speed is reduced and unnecessary ink is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by continuously circulating ink near the nozzle through the variable volume unit during normal printing operations. This prevents ink evaporation and thickening before they can cause ejection port clogging, eliminating the need for frequent preliminary ejection processing. The ink circulation occurs as part of the normal printing cycle, maintaining printing speed while preventing the conditions that would require corrective preliminary ejections.
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 eliminates the need for preliminary ejection processing, maintains ejection speed, reduces ink consumption, and allows for continuous printing with high-viscosity inks, enhancing printing efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure chamber to be filled with ink and configured to perform reciprocal moving
Implementation Method 2
employs a pressure variation mechanism within the printing head's supply tube to move ink near the ejection port during reciprocal movement, inhibiting evaporation and thickening without a circulation pump, using a volume variable unit and inertial force to manage ink flow
Implementation Method 3
a pressure chamber to be filled with ink and configured to perform reciprocal moving
Implementation Method 4
using a volume variable unit and inertial force to manage ink flow
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes an ink tank that stores ink, a supply tube that supplies the ink from the ink tank, and a printing head that includes therein a pressure chamber arranged with an ejection port to eject the ink and performs reciprocal moving. The printing head includes a first liquid chamber that includes a connection portion with the supply channel, a second liquid chamber that communicates with the first liquid chamber by way of the pressure chamber, and a volume variable unit that changes an inner volume of the second liquid chamber.