White Pigment Ink Tank Circulation for Stable Reduced-Pressure Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with nozzle clogging due to dissolved air in the ink, particularly when using inks with high specific gravity pigments, leading to reduced degassing efficiency and dispersion stability.
Innovation Solution
A circulation degassing system is implemented, where ink is circulated through a dedicated flow path within the ink tank while maintaining reduced pressure, effectively replacing ink near the liquid surface with ink from the bottom surface to enhance degassing efficiency and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ink capacity is increased, then storage capacity is improved, but degassing efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-point bottom stirring approach to a multi-dimensional circulation system. The circulation flow path extends vertically from the bottom surface to the liquid surface, creating a three-dimensional flow pattern that efficiently transports ink throughout the entire tank volume, resolving the contradiction between large ink capacity and degassing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the ink tank into distinct circulation zones using multiple circulation flow paths. By segmenting the flow into separate paths (first circulation flow path from bottom to liquid surface, second circulation flow path within liquid layer), the system can effectively process large volumes of ink while maintaining high degassing efficiency through distributed circulation points.
2Quantity of substance
If ink capacity is increased, then storage capacity is improved, but dispersion stability is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous circulation of ink through dedicated circulation flow paths that operate continuously to maintain pigment suspension. This continuous movement prevents pigment settling even in large-capacity tanks, maintaining dispersion stability throughout the entire ink volume without requiring frequent agitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system creates vertical and horizontal flow components that operate in multiple dimensions within the ink tank. This multi-dimensional circulation pattern ensures uniform pigment distribution throughout the entire ink capacity, preventing settling that would occur with single-point or single-direction agitation methods.
3Productivity
If pressure is reduced for degassing, then degassing efficiency is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stirring devices (which generate noise through rotation and contact) with a circulation-based degassing system. The circulation pump moves ink through flow paths where degassing occurs passively at the liquid surface under reduced pressure, eliminating the noise associated with mechanical agitation while maintaining effective degassing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the circulation flow path and liquid surface as an intermediary medium for degassing. Instead of directly applying mechanical energy to the ink, the system uses the circulation flow to bring ink to the liquid surface where pressure reduction facilitates bubble formation and removal, thereby achieving degassing efficiency without the noise of direct mechanical intervention.
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 circulation degassing system improves degassing efficiency and stability, maintaining optimal ink conditions for nozzle operation and image quality, even with increased ink capacity or tank size, while minimizing noise and preserving ink ejection characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure reducing device reduces pressure in the ink tank
Implementation Method 2
The circulation device circulates the ink through the circulation flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
A degassing device (1) includes an ink tank (32), a recording head (21), a pressure reducing device (62), a circulation flow path (47), and a circulation device (67). The ink tank (32) stores ink. The recording head (32) ejects the ink supplied from the ink tank (32). The pressure reducing device (62) reduces pressure in the ink tank (32). The circulation flow path (47) communicates different positions of the ink tank (32). Thea circulation device (67) circulates the ink through the circulation flow path (47). The ink contains a white pigment.