Textile Inkjet Nozzle Cleaning During Ink Type Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet textile printing faces challenges in achieving consistent tone and preventing nozzle clogging when switching between different inks, leading to potential color mixing and increased apparatus complexity, while also aiming to reduce image density differences between printing and non-printing surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a penetrant liquid to facilitate ink penetration and cleaning, where the same or different penetrant liquids are used for acidic, reactive, or pigment inks, ejected from nozzles to ensure compatibility and reduce complexity by eliminating the need for separate cleaning liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printers are used to accommodate different ink types for different fabrics and patterns, then the adaptability of the printing system is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single inkjet printing apparatus to handle multiple ink types (acidic ink, reactive ink, pigment ink) through a unified cleaning mechanism. The cleaning liquid supply system can switch between different cleaning liquids corresponding to different ink types, allowing one printer to serve multiple functions and accommodate various fabric-ink combinations without requiring separate dedicated printers for each ink type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ink type is changed in a printer, then the adaptability is improved, but color mixing and nozzle clogging occur leading to deterioration of printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing cleaning operations before ink type changes to prevent color mixing and nozzle clogging. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the nozzle in advance of the ink type switch, ensuring that residual ink from the previous type is removed. This preliminary cleaning action maintains printing quality by preventing contamination when switching between different ink types.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning liquid acts as an intermediary substance between different ink types during transitions. By introducing this intermediate cleaning medium, the system prevents direct contact and mixing between incompatible ink types, thereby maintaining printing quality and preventing nozzle clogging during ink type changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If penetrant liquid is ejected to facilitate ink penetration, then the image density difference between surfaces is reduced, but the apparatus complexity increases due to additional liquid supply systems
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning liquid supply system is designed with multi-functionality to also supply penetrant liquid. The same liquid supply mechanism that delivers cleaning liquids can also deliver penetrant liquid, allowing the system to achieve image density uniformity through penetrant liquid application without requiring a completely separate dedicated supply system. This universal approach reduces overall apparatus complexity while maintaining the desired 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
This approach allows for consistent printing on both surfaces with reduced image density differences and nozzle cleaning efficiency, maintaining apparatus simplicity and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a first penetrant liquid that facilitates penetration of the first textile printing colored liquid into a first fabric is ejected from a first nozzle
Implementation Method 2
discharging a penetrant liquid from the second nozzle between the printing with the first textile printing colored liquid and the printing with the second textile printing colored liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The inkjet textile printing method includes: printing onto a first fabric with a first textile printing colored liquid using a step for ejecting a first penetrant liquid from a first nozzle onto a first surface of the first fabric and a step for ejecting the first textile printing colored liquid from a second nozzle onto the first surface; printing onto a second fabric with a second textile printing colored liquid using a step for ejecting a second penetrant liquid from the first nozzle onto a first surface of the second fabric and a step for ejecting the second textile printing colored liquid from the second nozzle onto the first surface; and discharging at least one of the first penetrant liquid and the second penetrant liquid from the second nozzle between printing with the first textile printing colored liquid and printing with the second textile printing colored liquid.