Printing Apparatus Stirring Control for Pigment Ink Density
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing apparatuses face delays in starting a printing operation due to the need for stirring pigment inks to maintain uniform density, which prolongs the first printout time and affects print quality.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus equipped with a stir mechanism for pigment inks and a control unit that extends the stirring operation duration only when pigment inks are used, ensuring uniform ink density before printing, thereby reducing startup delays and maintaining high print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pigment ink is stirred thoroughly before printing operation, then the print quality is improved, but the first printout time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank performs automatic stirring operations at predetermined intervals during the printing process, rather than requiring thorough stirring before each printing operation. This preliminary and periodic action maintains pigment uniformity throughout printing, resolving the contradiction between print quality and first printout time.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring mechanism operates periodically at predetermined intervals during the printing process rather than continuously or before each print job. This periodic stirring maintains pigment suspension and uniformity throughout the printing operation, ensuring consistent print quality without prolonging the initial printout time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ink tank is left in a static state for a long period, then the pigment density becomes non-uniform, but stirring the ink thoroughly takes additional time
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank automatically performs stirring operations at predetermined intervals during printing, proactively maintaining pigment uniformity rather than waiting for non-uniformity to develop and then correcting it. This preliminary maintenance approach preserves composition stability without requiring lengthy stirring periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink tank is equipped with an automatic stirring mechanism that self-regulates pigment uniformity during storage and printing operations. The system monitors and performs stirring at predetermined intervals without external intervention, maintaining pigment density uniformity automatically while minimizing additional time requirements.
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
The solution allows for quick startup of printing operations while ensuring high-quality prints by uniformly distributing pigment ink density, reducing the time needed for stirring and minimizing its impact on the initial printout time.
Implementation Method 1
a stir mechanism capable of stirring at least the pigment ink
Data Source
AI summary
The printing apparatus includes: a print unit to print on a medium using a pigment ink and a dye ink; a stir mechanism capable of stirring at least the pigment ink; and a control unit to perform control to make the duration of the stirring operation executed prior to starting the printing operation longer when the pigment ink is included in the ink to be used in the printing operation than when it is not.