Flexible Membrane Fluid Tank for Printhead Ink Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional jetting apparatuses face challenges in effectively supplying ink or print fluid to printheads, particularly in preventing the drying or coagulation of print fluid within the printhead or individual jetting channels, especially when the printhead is idle.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid tank system with integrated reservoirs and a flexible membrane that creates a pressure differential by deforming in response to the movement of the carriage assembly, ensuring continuous flow and circulation of the print fluid through the printhead, thereby preventing drying and coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fluid tank system is used to supply print fluid to printheads, then the printhead can be filled with print fluid, but the print fluid may dry or coagulate within the printhead or jetting channels during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a pressure differential before the printhead is actually needed for printing. The flexible membrane is pre-configured to deform in response to carriage assembly movement, establishing fluid circulation and preventing drying/coagulation during idle periods before the next printing operation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining constant fluid circulation through the printhead during idle periods. The flexible membrane continuously deforms with carriage assembly movement to create pressure differentials that keep fluid moving, eliminating idle time where fluid would otherwise stagnate and dry out.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printhead is kept idle for extended periods, then printing operations can be paused, but the print fluid may dry or coagulate in the jetting channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous fluid circulation even during printing pauses. The flexible membrane continues to deform with carriage assembly movement, creating ongoing pressure differentials that prevent fluid stagnation and maintain print fluid reliability during extended idle periods between printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing carriage assembly movement (already required for printing operations) to automatically drive the flexible membrane and create pressure differentials that circulate fluid. This self-service mechanism requires no additional components or energy input beyond the normal printing cycle movement.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid fluid tank structure is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the tank cannot create pressure differentials to promote fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a rigid tank structure with a flexible membrane that can deform to create pressure differentials. This flexible film approach maintains ease of manufacture while enabling the tank to actively promote fluid circulation through pressure changes driven by carriage assembly movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static rigid tank to a dynamic flexible membrane system. The membrane dynamically deforms in response to carriage assembly movement, creating time-varying pressure differentials that actively circulate fluid through the printhead, thereby improving productivity through enhanced fluid circulation.
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 solution effectively maintains the fluidity and prevents drying of the print fluid within the printhead, ensuring consistent performance and image quality by creating movement and circulation of the fluid, even during idle periods.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible membrane is disposed between the reservoirs and is configured to deform in response to movement of the carriage assembly to create a pressure differential between the reservoirs
Implementation Method 2
The deformation of the pressure chamber creates pressure waves within the pressure chamber that eject a droplet of print fluid (e.g., ink) out of the nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Fluid tanks for providing a print fluid to a printhead. In one embodiment, the fluid tank includes a first reservoir configured to contain a print fluid, and a second reservoir configured to contain the print fluid. The fluid tank further includes a first Input/Output (I/O) port configured to fluidly couple with a printhead to allow the print fluid to flow into or out of the first reservoir, and a second I/O port configured to fluidly couple with the printhead to allow the print fluid to flow into or out of the second reservoir. The fluid tank further includes a flexible membrane between the first reservoir and the second reservoir configured to flex to create a pressure difference between the first reservoir and the second reservoir.