Ink Circulation System for Buffer Tank Settlement Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink settlement occurs in buffer tanks of printing apparatuses without a mechanism for ink circulation, leading to reduced efficiency and quality in ink replenishment for ejection heads.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus is designed with a circulation system that includes a buffer tank, replenishing pump, solenoid valves, and a control unit to circulate ink between the buffer tank and recovery tank, reducing settlement by controlling the flow of ink through solenoid valves and pumps, allowing for efficient replenishment and circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a circulation pump is provided in the supply tank and recovery tank to feed ink between them, then settling of ink components is reduced in these tanks, but the buffer tank storing replenishment ink still experiences ink settlement without a circulation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump is configured to perform multiple functions: it circulates ink between the supply tank and recovery tank to prevent settlement, and also circulates ink within the buffer tank when the solenoid valve is opened. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by using a single pump to address settlement issues across all tanks without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the state of the buffer tank and automatically opens the solenoid valve to activate circulation when ink settlement is detected or anticipated. This feedback mechanism ensures ink composition stability is maintained in the buffer tank without requiring continuous operation of the circulation system, thereby balancing stability with energy efficiency and reduced complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the circulation pump operates continuously to prevent ink settlement, then ink composition stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit opens the solenoid valve to activate circulation at specific intervals or when settlement conditions are detected, then closes it when circulation is sufficient. This periodic operation maintains ink composition stability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a separate circulation system is added to the buffer tank to prevent ink settlement, then ink composition stability is improved, but the number of pumps and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing circulation pump is made multi-functional by adding a solenoid valve that directs ink flow to include the buffer tank in the circulation path. This allows a single pump to serve both its original purpose (circulating ink between supply and recovery tanks) and the new purpose (circulating ink in the buffer tank), thereby improving buffer tank ink stability without increasing the number of pumps or system complexity.
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 system effectively reduces ink settlement in the buffer tank, ensuring consistent ink supply to the ejection head by circulating ink and replenishing it as needed, thereby improving printing quality and reducing the need for multiple pumps.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pump provided in the first return pipe and arranged between the recovery tank and the supply tank, and feeding the ink from the recovery tank to the supply tank
Implementation Method 2
a replenishing pump provided in the replenishing pipe and arranged between the buffer tank and the recovery tank, and feeding the ink from the buffer tank to the recovery tank
Implementation Method 3
a first solenoid valve provided in the replenishing pipe and arranged between the replenishing pump and the recovery tank, allowing feeding of the ink from the buffer tank to the recovery tank through the replenishing pipe using the replenishing pump by being opened, and interrupting feeding of the ink from the buffer tank to the recovery tank through the replenishing pipe using the replenishing pump by being closed
Data Source
AI summary
Closing the replenishing solenoid valve Vl1 and opening the return solenoid valve Vl2 prohibits passage of the ink fed using the replenishing pump 951 through the replenishing solenoid valve Vl1 and allows this ink to pass through the return solenoid valve Vl2. In this way, the ink is circulated along the circulation path Cc2 (second circulation path) along which the ink is fed from the buffer tank 95a to the branch point J though the replenishing pipe 95b and then fed from the branch point J to the buffer tank 95a through the return pipe 961.