Fluid Interconnect Air Flow Director for Inkjet Resupply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet dispensing systems face challenges in consistently initiating air flow from a reservoir into an air conduit during resupply operations, leading to prolonged air/ink interfaces and potential spills due to air entering the ink conduit instead of the air conduit.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an air flow director, such as a grating at the outlet of the ink conduit, which impedes air flow into the ink conduit relative to the air conduit, increasing bubble pressure and directing air flow into the air conduit, thereby facilitating consistent air flow initiation into the air conduit during resupply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single conduit is used for ink resupply, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of air flow direction deteriorates causing air to enter the ink conduit instead of the air conduit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit structureVSAvoidair flow direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single conduit is segmented into two separate conduits: an ink conduit for ink flow and an air conduit for air flow. This segmentation allows independent control of ink and air pathways, ensuring reliable air flow direction to the air conduit while maintaining manageable device complexity through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An air flow director acts as an intermediary element within the multi-conduit interconnect. This director selectively directs air flow from the reservoir to the air conduit by utilizing surface tension and buoyancy effects at the air/ink interface, ensuring reliable air flow direction while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the air conduit outlet is extended to near the back of the resupply container, then the duration of air/ink interface is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair/ink interface durationVSAvoidconduit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air conduit outlet is pre-positioned near the back of the resupply container before the resupply operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that when ink is dispensed, air can quickly reach the air conduit outlet and establish flow, minimizing the duration of the air/ink interface without requiring complex dynamic adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air conduit outlet is specifically positioned at a particular location (near the back of the resupply container) where it can most effectively minimize air/ink interface duration. This localized optimization of conduit positioning reduces time loss without requiring complex changes to the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If no air flow director is present, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of air flow initiation deteriorates causing inconsistent air flow direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterconnect structureVSAvoidair flow initiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow director utilizes the natural properties of the air/ink interface (surface tension, buoyancy) to automatically direct air flow to the air conduit without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service approach ensures reliable air flow initiation while keeping the interconnect structure relatively simple, as the director passively exploits physical phenomena rather than requiring active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow director serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the air/ink interface and the conduits. It selectively channels air flow to the air conduit by utilizing surface tension and buoyancy effects, ensuring reliable air flow initiation while maintaining manageable device complexity through a relatively simple structural addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces the duration of the air/ink interface and prevents spills by ensuring air flows preferentially into the air conduit, maintaining efficient ink resupply and pressure regulation in inkjet dispensing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a grating at the outlet from the ink conduit increases the bubble pressure at the air/ink interface of the ink conduit compared to the air conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble pressure: Capillary Pressure

Implementation Method 2

the interconnect includes an air flow director to direct air in the reservoir to the air conduit as ink flows into the reservoir. Air may be directed to the air conduit by impeding the flow of air into the ink conduit relative to the air conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentUS11292259B2Fluid interconnect

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In one example, a fluid interconnect to exchange liquid in a first container with air in a second container that is unvented during an exchange. The interconnect includes a first conduit, a second conduit, and an air flow director to direct air in a second container toward the second conduit during an exchange when a first container and a second container are connected to the interconnect.