Fluid Expansion Receptacles for Inkjet Printing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems face damage from freezing temperatures due to fluid expansion in the delivery system, particularly during shipping and storage, as most printing fluids contain water and expand when frozen, potentially bursting tubing. Existing solutions, such as shipping without fluid, are logistically challenging and inefficient for testing and reconditioning.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of fluid expansion receptacles that are installed in place of inkjet pens, providing volumetric compliance to allow printing fluid to expand without damaging the system. These receptacles are connected to the fluid delivery system via self-sealing septa and needles, allowing fluid to expand into chambers filled with fluid-absorbing material, preventing damage and enabling secure fastening to prevent dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If printing systems are shipped without printing fluid to avoid freezing damage, then the system is protected from freezing damage, but testing and reconditioning become difficult and logistically challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid containment system into separate components: the printing system and the printing fluid container. The fluid container is removed before shipping, leaving the printing system empty and safe from freezing damage. The fluid can be added later at the destination for testing and operation, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing fluid is extracted and removed from the printing system before shipping. This extraction protects the system from freezing damage while allowing the system to be tested and reconditioned without the complicating factor of fluid management during transit.
2Ease of operation
If printing fluid is retained in the system during shipping, then testing can be performed, but the fluid may freeze and cause expansion damage to the fluid delivery system
Solution Approach 1:
The printing fluid is extracted from the system before shipping to eliminate the freezing hazard. The system can be tested using alternative methods or with fluid added at the destination, while the removed fluid avoids the risk of freezing and expansion damage during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is prepared in advance by removing the printing fluid before shipping, cushioning against the potential harm of freezing. This prior action prevents the harmful effect of fluid expansion while allowing the system to be safely transported and later reconditioned.
3Ease of manufacture
If on-board ink supply is used, then the entire pen can be replaced when ink runs out, but the pen and carriage assembly becomes heavier requiring more energy to move
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is segmented into separate components: the printhead assembly and the ink cartridges. The ink cartridges are removable and replaceable independently from the printhead, allowing users to replace only the ink cartridges when empty rather than the entire pen assembly. This reduces the weight of the moving carriage assembly while maintaining ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink supply system is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing the ink cartridges to be removed and replaced as needed. This enables the carriage assembly weight to vary depending on whether ink cartridges are installed, optimizing the balance between replacement simplicity and weight 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 fluid expansion receptacles effectively prevent damage from freezing temperatures by allowing printing fluid to expand within the receptacles, ensuring the integrity of the fluid delivery system and facilitating safe shipping and storage without the need for fluid removal, while allowing for easy conversion back to a functioning printing system upon removal of the receptacles.
Implementation Method 1
Because most printing fluids contain water, they expand when freezing. This expansion can damage the fluid delivery system
Implementation Method 2
allowing fluid to expand into chambers filled with fluid-absorbing material
Data Source
AI summary
Damage is prevented in printing systems by allowing fluid from the printing system's fluid delivery system to expand. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by fluidly connecting a fluid expansion receptacle to the fluid delivery system. The fluid expansion receptacle provides volumetric compliance so that if printing fluid in the system expands, such as due to freezing, the fluid is able to expand into the fluid expansion receptacle and not damage the printing system.