Bulk Fluid Container With Electronic Chip For Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous ink jet printers face frequent fluid replacements due to solvent evaporation, leading to ink thickening, which requires frequent addition of solvents to maintain viscosity and cleaning of components, resulting in operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A bulk fluid container providing 5 liters of fluid, equipped with a chip for data storage on fluid type, expiration date, and volume, allowing for correct fluid usage and tracking, and featuring a collapsible reservoir with a secure port system for extended printer operation without frequent replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fluid containers are used, then the printer requires frequent fluid replacements, but this leads to operational inefficiency and increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk fluid container system segments the fluid storage into a large external reservoir (5 liters) separate from the printer's internal fluid path. This allows the majority of fluid to be stored externally, reducing the frequency of replacements needed and minimizing downtime while maintaining proper fluid circulation through the printing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from small, frequent fluid container replacements to a large-scale bulk storage solution. By moving from a conventional cartridge-based system to a bulk container with capacity approximately 5 liters, the system operates on a different scale, enabling extended operational periods between fluid replacements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If solvent is added frequently to maintain viscosity, then ink thickness is controlled, but this requires frequent monitoring and intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk fluid container system incorporates an electronic chip that automatically tracks fluid volume, expiration dates, and fluid type. This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for frequent manual intervention to check fluid levels and composition, allowing the system to maintain viscosity stability through automated tracking rather than frequent manual solvent addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic chip provides continuous feedback on fluid status including volume remaining, expiration date, and fluid type identification. This feedback mechanism enables the system to proactively manage fluid composition and viscosity without requiring frequent manual monitoring and intervention, reducing operational complexity while maintaining ink stability.
3Reliability
If a bulk fluid container with electronic chip is used, then fluid tracking and management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an electronic chip that stores digital information (fluid type, expiration date, volume) as a copy of the fluid's identity and status. This electronic representation allows for accurate tracking and management of fluid properties without requiring complex physical monitoring systems, reducing the overall device complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual fluid tracking and monitoring system is replaced with an electronic chip-based system. Instead of mechanically monitoring fluid levels and properties through physical gauges or manual checks, the system uses electronic storage and retrieval of fluid information, simplifying the overall device architecture while enhancing fluid management accuracy.
4Reliability
If conventional cartridges are replaced frequently, then fluid freshness is maintained, but this increases operational costs and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk fluid container system enables complete utilization of the fluid supply by accurately tracking volume and expiration through the electronic chip. This allows the system to use nearly all of the 5-liter fluid supply before replacement, minimizing waste compared to conventional cartridges where a significant portion of fluid may remain unusable. The system recovers maximum value from each fluid container before disposal is necessary.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid container for an ink jet printer includes a collapsible reservoir, a cap, and an electronic storage device. The collapsible reservoir is for containing a printing fluid and includes walls enclosing an internal space having a variable volume for storage and dispensing of a liquid. The cap for attachment to the reservoir includes a port for connection to the printer. The port is adapted to prevent air from entering the internal space from outside the reservoir as liquid is dispensed. An electronic storage device is configured to store data relating to the contents of the container. At least one electrical contact is associated with the electronic storage device and provided on a substrate.