Ink circulation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printers face issues with nozzle clogging and bubble formation due to ink viscosity and air infiltration, leading to poor printing quality.
Innovation Solution
An ink circulation system comprising an ink cartridge, ink tank, ink pump, valves, heating assembly, and positive-negative pressure assembly that manages ink flow, pressure, and temperature to prevent clogging and bubble formation, using a combination of negative and positive pressure to maintain ink fluidity and circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ink is stored in the ink tank for long time, then ink volume is sufficient for printing, but ink becomes dry and sticks to the nozzle causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by circulating ink through the printer head before printing operations and maintaining ink flow during idle periods. The controller activates the ink pump to circulate ink through the printer head even when the printer is not in use, preventing ink from drying and sticking to the nozzle before clogging can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink circulation system maintains continuous ink flow through the printer head via the ink pump and circulation pipeline. This continuous circulation ensures that ink remains fluid and prevents stagnation, thereby maintaining nozzle functionality over extended periods without interruption to the primary printing function.
2Reliability
If ink is circulated continuously to prevent clogging, then nozzle remains clear, but bubbles form in the ink affecting printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by controlling the ink pump to circulate ink only during specific periods or conditions rather than continuously. The controller activates circulation when idle or before printing tasks, and stops during active printing or when idle for extended periods, thereby preventing both clogging and bubble formation through timed, intermittent circulation cycles.
3Ease of operation
If heating assembly is used to reduce ink viscosity, then ink fluidity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating assembly changes the temperature parameter of the ink to reduce viscosity and improve fluidity. By controlling ink temperature, the system optimizes ink flow characteristics without requiring continuous high-energy operation, as heating is applied selectively based on circulation needs and environmental conditions.
4Speed
If positive pressure is applied to squeeze ink, then ink flow to printer head increases, but bubbles are forced into the printer head
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic pressure control by switching between positive and negative pressure modes based on operational requirements. The controller activates positive pressure briefly to push ink toward the printer head when flow is needed, then switches to negative pressure to draw ink back and prevent bubble infiltration, creating a dynamic pressure cycle that manages both flow speed and bubble prevention.
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 prevents nozzle clogging and bubble formation, ensuring consistent ink flow and improved printing quality by replenishing ink, heating the ink to reduce viscosity, and using pressure to clear blockages and bubbles.
Implementation Method 1
the heating assembly is activated to heat the ink in the ink tank and the printer head
Implementation Method 2
heating the ink to reduce viscosity
Implementation Method 3
The positive-negative pressure assembly provides a positive pressure or a negative pressure to the ink tank to squeeze or absorb the ink in the ink tank
Implementation Method 4
provides the positive pressure to the ink tank to squeeze the ink to be transmitted to the printer head
Implementation Method 5
The ink pump is used to extract ink from the ink cartridge and fill the ink into the ink tank along the output pipeline and the ink pipeline
Implementation Method 6
provides the negative pressure to the ink tank to prevent the ink from leaking from the printer head
Data Source
AI summary
An ink circulation system, including an ink cartridge, an ink tank, an ink pump, first, second, and third valves, a print head, a heating assembly, and a positive-negative pressure assembly, is provided. The ink cartridge has an output pipeline and an ink cartridge valve. The ink tank is disposed on one side of the ink cartridge and connected to the output pipeline. The ink pump is connected to the output pipeline and the ink tank through an ink pipeline. The first valve is connected to the ink tank through a first pipeline. The second valve is disposed on the output pipeline. The third valve is connected to the output pipeline and the ink pipeline through a return pipeline. The print head is connected to the ink tank and the return pipeline. The heating assembly is disposed in the ink tank. The positive-negative pressure assembly is connected to the first pipeline.