Fluid Ejection Assembly Circulation Pump Ink Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printheads face issues with ink blockage and clogging due to air bubbles and pigment-ink vehicle separation, leading to degraded print quality and increased costs, as existing solutions require servicing that consumes ink and delays immediate printing.
Innovation Solution
A fluid ejection assembly with a fluid circulation pump asymmetrically located along the fluid channel creates directional fluid flow, circulating ink both horizontally and vertically during idle and operational times to prevent blockage, using a membrane over a fluid slot on an underlying substrate with fluid feed holes between the channel and slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inkjet printheads are used for printing, then high print quality is achieved, but air bubbles form and migrate causing blockage and degraded print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes air bubbles from the inkjet printhead system using a pump and filtration mechanism. The pump circulates ink through a filter that captures air bubbles before they can migrate to nozzles and cause blockage, thereby maintaining both print quality and ink flow continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a pump to create controlled fluid circulation within the inkjet system. The pump generates pressure to move ink through the filtration system and back to the printhead, ensuring continuous ink flow while removing air bubbles hydrau}lically.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pigment-based inks are used, then durability and permanence are improved, but pigment particles settle and block ink flow during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by circulating ink through a filtration system before pigment particles can settle and cause blockage. The pump continuously moves ink through the filter during storage periods, preventing pigment accumulation and ensuring immediate printing capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous useful action by maintaining constant ink circulation through the filtration system during storage. This continuous pumping action prevents pigment settling while preserving the durability benefits of pigment-based inks, eliminating the need for servicing interruptions.
3Reliability
If inkjet printheads are serviced to prevent blockage, then ink flow is restored, but printing is delayed and ink is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary maintenance action by continuously filtering ink during storage periods before blockage occurs. This preventive filtration eliminates the need for reactive servicing, ensuring ink flow continuity without printing delays or additional ink consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by incorporating an automatic pump and filtration system that continuously maintains ink quality without user intervention. The system autonomously prevents blockage during storage and operation, eliminating servicing delays and reducing overall ink consumption by preventing clog-related waste.
4Reliability
If pump element is integrated within the print head, then ink circulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pump element directly into the printhead structure, integrating multiple functions (ink circulation, filtration, and ejection) into a single unified device. This integration improves ink flow reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining components rather than adding separate systems.
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
Prevents ink blockage and clogging, ensuring immediate printing and reducing the total cost of ownership by maintaining ink flow and quality without the need for extensive servicing.
Implementation Method 1
a pump element located near a second end of the channel to circulate fluid horizontally through the channel and vertically through the fluid feed holes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot formed in a first substrate and a channel formed in a chamber layer disposed on top of a second substrate. The bottom surface of the second substrate is adhered to the top surface of the first substrate and fluid feed holes are formed between the fluid slot and the channel. A fluid ejection element is at a first end of the channel and a pump element is at a second end of the channel to circulate fluid horizontally through the channel and vertically through the fluid feed holes.