Rolling Sphere Filter Anti-Clogging for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in preventing the bridging phenomenon, where fine particles in the ink aggregate and crosslink, causing filter clogging, especially with aggregation-type inks that are prone to particulate aggregation under external stimuli.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rolling element, specifically a spherical body made of nonmagnetic metal with a diameter larger than the filter mesh, placed on the filter in the filter chamber. This rolling element is designed to roll with the movement of the inkjet head, generating convection and dispersing aggregated particles to suppress the bridging phenomenon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is disposed in the filter chamber to remove foreign substances, then ink purification is improved, but the bridging phenomenon occurs causing filter clogging
Solution Approach 1:
A rolling element is introduced as an intermediary component between the ink flow and the filter. This rolling element mediates the interaction by mechanically disrupting particle aggregation on the filter surface, preventing the bridging phenomenon while maintaining the filter's purification function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling element transforms the static filter system into a dynamic one. By utilizing the relative movement between the inkjet head and the rolling element, the system actively prevents particle aggregation through continuous rolling motion, converting a passive filtration system into an active anti-clogging system.
2Manufacturing precision
If aggregation type ink is used to achieve desired printing properties, then printing quality is improved, but particulate aggregation increases causing filter clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling element converts the harmful effect of particle aggregation into a beneficial mechanism. By allowing particles to aggregate on the filter surface and then mechanically disrupting them through rolling, the system transforms potential clogging into an active cleaning mechanism that prevents severe aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling element generates mechanical disruption forces that act on aggregated particles. This mechanical action, produced by the rolling motion against the filter surface and ink flow, prevents stable particle aggregation and maintains ink flowability while preserving printing quality.
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 use of rolling elements effectively suppresses the occurrence of the bridging phenomenon, preventing filter clogging and ensuring stable ink flow through the inkjet printing apparatus, even with aggregation-type inks.
Implementation Method 1
the rolling element is designed to roll with the movement of the inkjet head, generating convection and dispersing aggregated particles
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet head that moves in a main scanning direction at the time of printing; a filter chamber provided on a path for supplying ink to a nozzle hole (nozzle) in the inkjet head; and a spherical body placed on a head filter in the filter chamber. The spherical body has a diameter φ larger than the mesh of the head filter. The spherical body is disposed on the head filter so as to be rollable by the movement of the inkjet head.