Fail-Safe Valve for Printing Fluid Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for methods and apparatuses to control the flow of printing fluid between the container and the printhead in printing devices, particularly to prevent fluid leakage when the device is non-operational due to power loss.
Innovation Solution
A fail safe valve is introduced within the fluid delivery system, which is a normally closed, electrically operated valve that automatically opens only when electrical power is available, preventing fluid flow between the container and printhead during power outages and thus preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a normally open fluid delivery system is used, then printing fluid can flow freely to the printhead during operation, but fluid leaks when the device is non-operational due to power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The fail-safe valve is configured to be normally closed and automatically opens only when electrical power is available. This preliminary action ensures that the valve is in the correct state (closed) before power loss occurs, preventing fluid leakage without requiring active control during the non-operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The fail-safe valve acts as an intermediary component between the fluid reservoir and the printhead. It mediates the fluid flow by being controlled by electrical power availability, allowing fluid delivery during operation while preventing leakage during power loss, thus resolving the contradiction between free flow and leakage prevention.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a fail safe valve is introduced to prevent leakage, then fluid leakage is prevented during power outages, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fail-safe valve is designed to automatically respond to power loss conditions without requiring external control systems, sensors, or additional control logic. The valve's normal closed state and automatic opening capability provide self-service leakage prevention, minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired harm reduction.
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 fail safe valve effectively prevents fluid leakage by maintaining the fluid within the printhead nozzles when the printer is not operational, ensuring reliable operation and minimizing ink wastage.
Implementation Method 1
A fail safe valve is introduced within the fluid delivery system, which is a normally closed, electrically operated valve that automatically opens only when electrical power is available
Implementation Method 2
Some fluid delivery systems include foam or other like capillary members within an on-axis container. The foam acts like a sponge in holding the printing fluid while also allowing the fluid to be used for printing. The capillary action of the foam provides the backpressure force.
Implementation Method 3
In some implementations, a pump may also be provided to move the printing fluid in one or both directions between the container and the printhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pathway is configured to selectively fluidically couple a printing fluid supply container to a printhead. The pathway includes a fail safe valve that that is configured to open as a result of movement of a moveable carriage and to thereafter remain open based on the availability of an electrical power signal.