Circulating Ink Supply System Pressure Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In circulating type ink supply systems for ink jet printing, maintaining stable ink pressure at nozzle openings is challenging due to the physical arrangement of upstream and downstream pressure sources, leading to instability and system upsizing issues.
Innovation Solution
A circulating type ink supply system is designed with an upstream ink tank, upstream and downstream ink flow channels, a nozzle branch portion, and a feedback flow channel, where the energy per unit volume is managed to ensure adequate ink pressure at nozzle openings by balancing static and potential energy, even when circulation is stopped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid level of the upstream pressure source is set higher than the nozzles and the downstream pressure source is set lower than the nozzles to maintain ink pressure, then the ink pressure can be maintained during circulation, but the physical arrangement becomes difficult and the tube length increases causing pressure instability
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is divided into separate upstream and downstream ink tanks with independent pressure control mechanisms. The upstream tank maintains positive pressure while the downstream tank maintains negative pressure, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for pressure stability without requiring complex physical arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-tank vertical arrangement to a dual-tank system where pressure control is achieved through separate horizontal segments (upstream and downstream tanks) connected via tubing. This dimensional reorganization allows pressure maintenance without requiring extreme vertical positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the tube length connecting the pressure sources to nozzles is increased to accommodate physical arrangement, then the system can be physically arranged, but the ink pressure at the nozzle position becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameters independently at the upstream and downstream tanks. By maintaining positive pressure at the upstream tank and negative pressure at the downstream tank, the system compensates for pressure losses in longer tubes, ensuring stable ink flow to nozzles regardless of tube length or arrangement.
3Reliability
If the circulating type ink supply system is upsized to maintain pressure, then the pressure can be maintained, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is divided into separate upstream and downstream ink tanks with independent pressure control mechanisms. The upstream tank maintains positive pressure while the downstream tank maintains negative pressure, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for pressure stability without requiring extreme vertical positioning.
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 stabilizes ink pressure at nozzle openings, preventing ink leakage and contamination, and reduces the need for frequent maintenance, allowing for efficient and reliable ink jet printing.
Implementation Method 1
an energy per unit volume which is determined by a sum value of a static pressure and a potential energy of the ink in the upstream ink tank when the circulation of the ink is stopped
Implementation Method 2
a circulating mechanism configured to circulate the ink stored in the upstream ink tank from the upstream ink flow channel through the nozzle branch portion, the downstream ink flow channel, the downstream ink tank, and the feedback flow channel to the upstream ink tank
Implementation Method 3
an upstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the upstream ink tank; a downstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the nozzle branch portion
Implementation Method 4
a feedback flow channel configured to return the ink in the downstream ink tank to the upstream ink tank
Data Source
AI summary
A circulating type ink supply system includes an upstream ink tank, an upstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the upstream ink tank, a nozzle branch portion connected to the other end of the upstream ink flow channel and being in communication with a nozzle configured to discharge ink, a downstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the nozzle branch portion and a downstream ink tank connected to the other end of the downstream ink flow channel, wherein an energy per unit volume determined by a sum value of a static pressure and a potential energy of the ink in the upstream ink tank when the circulation of the ink is stopped does not exceed the energy per unit volume of the ink at an atmospheric pressure at a level of the nozzle.