UV Ink Gas Supply Module Dissolved Oxygen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing apparatuses using ultraviolet curing ink, low dissolved oxygen levels lead to polymerization reactions and the generation of polymerized foreign matter due to heat emission, which cannot be effectively suppressed by existing degassing modules.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gas supplying section between the supply pump and the ink reservoir section, which increases the dissolved oxygen content of the ultraviolet curing ink to 5 ppm or more before it reaches the heat-emitting gear pump, thereby suppressing polymerization reactions and bubble formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the dissolved oxygen content of the ultraviolet curing ink is low, then the ink can be stored for a longer period, but the polymerization reaction occurs more easily due to heat emission from the heating section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dissolved oxygen content parameter of the ultraviolet curing ink from low to high (5 ppm or more) to prevent polymerization reactions. By adjusting this chemical parameter, the ink maintains stability during heat emission from the heating section while preserving long-term storage capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the vacuum degree of the degassing module is increased to remove bubbles, then the bubble formation is suppressed, but the dissolved oxygen content decreases below 6 ppm
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing oxygen through degassing (which causes polymerization), the patent inverts the approach by intentionally adding oxygen to the ink. The gas supplying section supplies oxygen-containing gas to maintain dissolved oxygen content at 5 ppm or more, preventing polymerization while avoiding bubble formation issues.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a degassing module is used to remove bubbles from the ultraviolet curing ink, then bubble formation is reduced, but the dissolved oxygen content drops below the safe threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas supplying section as an intermediary component that adds oxygen to the ink flow path. This mediator ensures the dissolved oxygen content remains at 5 ppm or more, preventing polymerization reactions in the heating section while maintaining ink composition stability without relying on degassing.
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 configuration ensures that the ultraviolet curing ink maintains a high enough dissolved oxygen level to prevent polymerization reactions caused by heat emission, reducing the generation of polymerized foreign matter and bubble formation in the ink.
Implementation Method 1
a gas supplying section supplied with a gas containing oxygen and configured to supply the gas containing oxygen to the ultraviolet curing ink in the ink flow path
Implementation Method 2
the heat which is emitted from a heating section which is provided in an ink flow path
Implementation Method 3
the gear pump is provided further in the downstream direction than the ink reservoir section, and the gas supplying section is provided between the supply pump and the ink reservoir section... while the gear pump emits heat due to the friction between gears
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes an ink ejecting head which ejects an ultraviolet curing ink, a supply flow path and a circulation outgoing path in which the ultraviolet curing ink which is supplied from an ink cartridge which stores the ultraviolet curing ink to the ink ejecting head flows, a circulation pump which is provided in the circulation outgoing path and emits heat, and a gas supplying module which is provided closer to an upstream side than the circulation pump in the supply flow path and the circulation outgoing path and supplies air to the ultraviolet curing ink which flows in the supply flow path.