UV Curing Waste Tank Ink Leakage Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet printers face the challenge of ink leakage from the waste tank during transportation due to uncured ink, which can occur during the purging process.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejection apparatus is designed with a UV light applicator that cures the ink in the waste tank after the purging and flushing processes, using UV applicators that also apply light to the recording sheet, ensuring the ink is cured before the printer is moved, thus preventing leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a waste tank is provided to reserve ink discharged during purging process, then the ink can be collected and not wasted, but the ink in the waste tank may leak to the outside during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink wasteVSAvoidink leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies UV light to change the chemical state of the ink from liquid to cured solid form. This parameter change (from liquid to solid through photopolymerization) eliminates the leakage problem while maintaining the waste collection function, resolving the contradiction between ink waste prevention and leakage prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs curing action on the ink in the waste tank before transportation occurs. By curing the ink in advance (before the potential leakage scenario), the system prevents the harmful effect of leakage during transport while maintaining the waste collection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If UV light is applied to cure ink in the waste tank, then ink leakage is prevented, but additional energy consumption and process time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink leakage preventionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the same UV light source for dual purposes: curing ink on the recording medium during normal operation and curing ink in the waste tank for leakage prevention. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for additional dedicated UV lighting, thereby avoiding extra energy consumption despite the additional curing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing UV light source to serve the additional function of curing waste ink. Rather than requiring an external or separate energy source, the system self-services by utilizing its operational UV light for both printing and waste management functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively prevents ink leakage by ensuring all discharged ink is cured, maintaining the printer's integrity and functionality during transport.

Implementation Method 1

a second light applicator which applies light to liquid in the waste tank... It is possible to cure liquid discharged to the waste tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS8328327B2Liquid ejection apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head which ejects photo-curable liquid from nozzles; a first light applicator which applies light to an ejection target having received liquid ejected by the liquid ejection head; a waste tank which reserves therein liquid discharged from the liquid ejection head; and a second light applicator which applies light to liquid in the waste tank.