Spray Head Maintenance via Ink Oscillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printers face issues with ink agglomeration and blockage in spray heads due to dried ink dregs, which traditional cleaning methods address by using a cleaning liquid that can damage the delicate structure and compromise printing quality.

Innovation Solution

A maintenance system utilizing an ink circulation loop with a controller that regulates air pressure to make ink oscillate within the spray head, removing agglomerated ink without direct impact, using a system with a main container, regulating devices, and detection systems to manage air pressure within specific ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cleaning liquid is pumped directly into the spray head through a liquid supply pump, then the cleaning liquid dissolves and removes agglomerated ink and dregs, but the cleaning liquid generates great impact force that may damage the delicate spray head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidimpact force damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pumping system with a gas pressure regulation system. Instead of using a liquid supply pump to force cleaning liquid into the spray head, the invention uses gas pressure changes in a sealed cavity to drive ink oscillation, thereby eliminating the mechanical impact force that damages the spray head while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes oscillation vibration of ink within the spray head to achieve cleaning. By regulating gas pressure to create periodic pressure changes, the ink oscillates back and forth through the spray holes, mechanically dislodging and removing agglomerated ink and dregs without generating damaging impact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Ease of operation

If cleaning liquid is pumped directly into the spray head, then the cleaning process is simple and direct, but the delicate structure of the spray head is likely to be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning operation simplicityVSAvoidspray head integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the direct liquid pumping operation with a gas pressure regulation operation. The controller regulates gas pressure within a sealed cavity to drive ink oscillation, maintaining ease of automated operation while eliminating the mechanical damage risk to the spray head structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gas pressure as an intermediary between the control system and the ink. Instead of directly pumping liquid into the spray head, the system uses gas pressure changes to indirectly drive ink oscillation, serving as a protective intermediary that prevents direct mechanical impact on the spray head

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 cleans the spray head by oscillating ink to dislodge and break up dried ink dregs without damaging the spray head, improving maintenance efficiency and reducing ink waste, while maintaining printing quality.

Implementation Method 1

the first regulating device includes a first accommodating cavity for storing first gas and ink flowing in from the main container; the first regulating device is configured to regulate a first air pressure of the first gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure regulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the cleaning liquid flowing inside the spray head dissolves and takes away the ink which has agglomerated and adhered in the spray head and solidified into dregs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS11724505B1Maintenance system for spray head, inkjet printer, maintenance method and printing method

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 SHENZHEN HANGLORY DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A maintenance system for spray head includes an ink cavity of the spray head communication with the external environment through spray holes. The ink cavity of the spray head is connected with a first accommodating cavity of a first regulating device through a pipeline; when the ink in the ink circulation loop is in a circulating flow state, the ink flows into the ink cavity of the spray head from the first accommodating cavity; because the first accommodating cavity and the ink cavity of the spray head are in a communication state, the change of the first air pressure within the first negative pressure range can make the ink in the first accommodating cavity and the ink cavity of the spray head oscillate at the same time.