Simultaneous Multi-Color Deaeration for Inkjet Downtime Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face significant downtime due to the time-consuming process of discharging ink components that have soaked in the gas permeable membranes of deaeration modules, especially when dealing with multiple colors.
Innovation Solution
A deaeration apparatus with an external reflux type deaeration module and a hardware processor that performs simultaneous discharging control for multiple colors, allowing for efficient removal of ink components from the gas permeable membranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discharging control is performed sequentially for multiple colors, then the deaeration module can be maintained, but the printing downtime increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the discharging control for multiple colors into a single simultaneous operation. The controller opens hollow fiber valves for all colors at the same time and operates the vacuum pump to evacuate air from all deaeration modules concurrently, allowing maintenance of multiple color channels without sequential downtime interruptions.
2Reliability
If the deaeration module is replaced when deaeration performance decreases, then reliable operation is maintained, but the cost increases due to expensive replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary maintenance by periodically opening hollow fiber valves and evacuating air from the deaeration modules before complete clogging occurs. This preventive maintenance approach allows the module to be reused multiple times without replacement, reducing costs while maintaining deaeration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the deaeration module after single use, the patent recovers it through periodic cleaning cycles. The hollow fiber valves are opened to allow air evacuation and ink component removal from the membrane surfaces, restoring the module's deaeration capability for continued reuse.
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 simultaneous discharging control significantly reduces printing downtime by efficiently managing the discharging process across multiple colors, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the deaeration apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a gas permeable membrane capable of removing a gas dissolved in ink
Implementation Method 2
the inside of the gas permeable membrane can be depressurized
Data Source
AI summary
A deaeration apparatus includes: an external reflux type deaeration module that includes a gas permeable membrane capable of removing a gas dissolved in ink; and a hardware processor that performs discharging control of discharging ink having soaked in the gas permeable membrane. The hardware processor performs the discharging control for multiple colors simultaneously.