Liquid Dispenser With Diverter Member and Secondary Manifold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flow through liquid drop dispensers face challenges in reliability and performance, particularly in achieving precise and efficient ejection of liquid drops, often resulting in clogging, contamination, and reduced drop quality due to nozzle design limitations and complexity in continuous printing systems.

Innovation Solution

A liquid dispenser design featuring an array of dispensing elements with a diverter member that selectively actuates to eject drops through a larger outlet opening, reducing clogging risks and latency, and utilizing a substrate-integrated liquid supply and return channels with a manifold system for efficient fluid communication, allowing for precise drop control and ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional nozzle design is used in flow through liquid drop dispensers, then the system can achieve continuous printing, but the system suffers from clogging, contamination, and reduced drop quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous printing capabilityVSAvoidclogging and contamination resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid path is segmented into separate supply and return channels that are integrated into the substrate, eliminating the need for traditional nozzles. Liquid flows through defined channels rather than through narrow nozzle openings, preventing clogging while maintaining continuous flow capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A diverter member acts as an intermediary component that selectively redirects liquid flow. When actuated, it diverts liquid from the return channel back into the supply channel to create drops at the outlet opening, enabling precise drop formation without requiring traditional nozzle mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional drop ejection mechanisms are used, then drops can be ejected, but satellite drop formation occurs and spatial precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrop ejection capabilityVSAvoidspatial precision and satellite drop control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet opening is designed with specific local geometric properties that differ from traditional nozzles. The larger opening with controlled geometry ensures clean drop formation without satellite drops, while the diverter member provides localized flow control exactly where needed for drop ejection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The diverter member provides dynamic control of liquid flow by selectively redirecting liquid from the return channel to the supply channel. This dynamic actuation allows precise timing and control of drop ejection, improving spatial precision while maintaining continuous liquid flow for high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If complex drop deflection mechanisms are used in continuous printing systems, then continuous printing can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous printing capabilityVSAvoiddeflection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supply and return channels are merged into a single integrated substrate structure, eliminating the need for separate complex deflection mechanisms. The substrate itself provides the liquid pathway, simplifying the overall system while maintaining continuous flow capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid flow system is designed to be self-regulating through the integrated substrate channels. Liquid naturally flows through the defined supply and return paths without requiring external complex control mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8328334B2Dispensing liquid using dispenser including secondary manifold

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 EASTMAN KODAK CO

AI summary

Each liquid dispensing element of an array includes liquid supply, dispensing, and return channels positioned on a substrate. The liquid dispensing channel, in communication with the supply and return channels, includes an outlet opening and is associated with a diverter member. Liquid supply and return passages, in communication with liquid supply and return channels, respectively, extend through the substrate. Liquid supply and return ducts of a liquid manifold are in communication with each liquid supply passage and liquid return passage, respectively. Liquid flows from the liquid supply duct through each liquid dispensing element to the liquid return duct. A liquid drop is ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel of one of the liquid dispensing elements by selectively actuating the associated diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.