Fluid Supply Housing Sloping Channels Back Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid supply systems for printers and fluid ejection mechanisms face challenges in efficiently delivering fluid to fluid ejection heads due to inadequate back pressure and flow control, leading to potential dripping and inefficient fluid distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fluid supply housing with sloping fluid channels and capillary material, such as foam blocks, to create a stable back pressure and improve fluid flow control, ensuring efficient delivery of fluid to fluid slots and subsequent ejection, using a single cast piece construction for manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fluid supply housings are used without optimized channel geometry, then manufacturing is simpler, but flow control and back pressure are inadequate leading to dripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the slope angle of fluid channels (between 45-60 degrees) and adjusting channel dimensions to achieve proper back pressure and flow control, preventing dripping while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating varied channel geometries with different slope angles and dimensions in different regions of the fluid supply housing, allowing optimized flow control in specific areas while maintaining overall structural simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for fluid supply system, then ease of assembly is better, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated fluid supply housing that includes chambers, sloped fluid channels, and capillary material all in one piece, reducing manufacturing steps and assembly complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through single-piece construction
3Reliability
If steeply sloped channels are used to improve flow control, then back pressure increases preventing dripping, but fluid delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the slope angle parameter to fall within 45-60 degrees, which provides sufficient back pressure to prevent dripping while maintaining adequate fluid delivery efficiency through proper channel dimension design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different channel slope configurations in different regions, with steeper slopes in areas requiring higher back pressure and gentler slopes where fluid delivery efficiency is critical, achieving both goals simultaneously
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 configuration provides reliable fluid supply and prevents dripping, ensuring consistent fluid delivery and improved flow control, while reducing material and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Certain fluid supplies contain capillary material to hold the fluid under a suitable back pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid supply housing includes a fluid chamber, a fluid slot distanced from the fluid chamber and a head surface. The fluid supply housing includes a fluid channel between the fluid chamber and the fluid slot. The fluid channel has a passageway that is straight and has a constant slope with respect to the head surface.