Static Discharging Wand for Wide Format Inkjet Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wide format printers face significant challenges in effectively discharging static charges from polymeric media, leading to reduced printing precision and quality due to triboelectric effects and uneven charge distribution, which existing methods like wiping cloths and anti-static brushes fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A static discharging wand is coupled to the print head carriage and powered to maintain a potential difference with the print media, positioned ahead of the print head and moving with it, to actively dissipate static charges as the medium is advanced, ensuring a substantially static-free printing surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods (wiping cloths, anti-static brushes) are used to discharge static, then the printing process can continue, but the printing precision and quality deteriorate due to uneven charge distribution and triboelectric effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting precisionVSAvoidstatic charge buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical discharge methods (brushes, cloths) with an electrostatic field-based system. A discharge wand positioned ahead of the print head generates an electrostatic field that actively neutralizes static charges on the media surface, providing more uniform and reliable discharge than mechanical contact methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge wand is positioned ahead of the print head in the direction of media movement, performing static discharge before the media reaches the printing area. This preliminary action ensures the media surface is statically neutralized before printing begins, preventing charge buildup during the printing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the media is advanced through the printing system, then printing can be performed, but static charge accumulates due to friction and relative movement of insulating materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting throughputVSAvoidtriboelectric charge generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic discharge system operates continuously as the media passes through the printing system. The discharge wand maintains a consistent position and electrostatic field throughout the media advancement process, providing continuous static neutralization rather than periodic or intermittent discharge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical friction-based charge generation with an electrostatic field-based neutralization approach. By using an electrostatic field to actively remove charges rather than relying on mechanical contact to prevent charge buildup, the system better handles the continuous movement of insulating media

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If wide format media is used, then printing versatility is improved, but static charge distribution becomes more uneven and harder to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia format rangeVSAvoidcharge distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge wand is designed with multiple discharge points distributed along its length, corresponding to different sections of the wide media. This segmentation of the discharge function across multiple points ensures uniform charge neutralization across the entire width of the media, addressing the uneven charge distribution problem inherent in wide format printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 method significantly reduces static charge buildup, enhancing the precision and quality of wide format inkjet printing by maintaining a controlled electrostatic discharge, particularly effective for wide format printers handling polymeric media.

Implementation Method 1

coupling the static discharge wand to a power unit to provide a potential difference between the static discharge wand and the print media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic Discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 2

The friction of two materials rubbing against each other causes the 'triboelectric' phenomenon known as static charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriboelectric Effect: Triboelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8192011B2System and method for discharging static in a printer

Publication Date: 2012.06.05 MATAN DIGITAL PRINTERS

AI summary

A method of preventing electrostatic charge build up on a print media from adversely affecting quality of inkjet printing, comprising: (a) coupling a static discharging wand to print head carriage at a set distance ahead of inkjet print heads and altitude over print media, and (b) coupling the static discharge wand to a power unit to provide a potential difference between said static discharge wand and said print media.