Waste Ink Airflow Path Layout for Mist Ink Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses face inefficiencies in collecting and containing waste ink, particularly misty ink, which can lead to internal contamination and reduced collection efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a waste ink container with a suction mechanism and a unique airflow path design that separates suction airflow from flushing ink, using multiple absorption layers to enhance ink collection efficiency by absorbing misty ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a suction mechanism is used to collect waste ink, then ink collection efficiency is improved, but misty ink causes internal contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The waste ink container is divided into multiple compartments: a storage area for collected ink and a discharge area for removing contaminated components. The airflow path is segmented into a suction airflow path for ink collection and a discharge airflow path for removing misty ink, preventing contamination while maintaining collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A discharge mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component that removes misty ink from the discharge area before it can contaminate the storage area. This intermediary mechanism prevents the harmful effect of misty ink while preserving the beneficial ink collection function
2Volume of moving object
If the suction hole is placed close to the reception hole, then the structure is compact, but misty ink contaminates the suction mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into distinct functional areas: a reception hole for ink entry, a storage area for collected ink, and a discharge area with a discharge hole for removing misty ink. This spatial segmentation prevents contamination while maintaining a compact overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge mechanism acts as an intermediary that actively removes misty ink from the discharge area, creating a protective barrier between the contamination source and the clean storage area, allowing the suction hole to be positioned closer to the reception hole
3Device complexity
If a simple storage container is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but ink collection and containment efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waste ink container is divided into functional segments (storage area and discharge area) with dedicated airflow paths for each function. This segmentation enables efficient ink collection and containment while maintaining relatively simple overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The waste ink container is designed to perform multiple functions: collecting waste ink through the suction mechanism, storing the collected ink in the storage area, and removing misty ink through the discharge mechanism. This multi-functionality improves collection efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity
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 separates and collects waste ink, reducing internal contamination and improving the overall efficiency of ink disposal within the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The suction mechanism sucks a gas from the waste ink container. The gas sucked by the suction mechanism flows along a flow path provided inside the waste ink container.
Implementation Method 2
using multiple absorption layers to enhance ink collection efficiency by absorbing misty ink
Data Source
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AI summary
The inkjet recording apparatus (100) includes a recording head (40), a waste ink container (7) and a suction mechanism (10). The waste ink container (7) includes a reception hole (710) for receiving ink ejected from the recording head (40), a suction hole (730) connected to the suction mechanism (10), and a suction airflow path (70) which communicates the reception hole (710) and the suction hole (730) with each other. The suction airflow path (70) includes a reverse airflow path (70R) for leading a suction airflow in a direction of further separation from the suction hole (730), and a forward airflow path (70F) for leading the suction airflow in a direction of further nearness to the suction hole (730).