Ink Container With Isolated Membrane Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-lived print heads in inkjet printers face issues with air accumulation, leading to poor print quality or complete failure due to air permeability and ingestion through nozzles and components, which existing solutions like air purging can cause ink/air froth and damage the microporous membrane used for separation.
Innovation Solution
The use of separate chambers within the ink container to isolate the microporous membrane from ink during shipping, with a sealing mechanism that allows communication only upon installation in the printer, preventing ink exposure and mechanical shock-induced damage, and employing a bidirectional ink transport system with a pump to manage air and ink flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microporous membrane is exposed to ink during shipping, then the membrane may degrade or lose its non-wetting characteristics, but isolating the membrane from ink requires additional sealing mechanisms and chamber structures
Solution Approach 1:
The ink container is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for storing ink and a second chamber for housing the microporous membrane. This segmentation isolates the membrane from ink during shipping while allowing communication when needed, resolving the contradiction between protecting membrane reliability and avoiding structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism is pre-configured to automatically open and establish communication between chambers when the container is installed in the printer. This preliminary arrangement ensures the membrane remains protected during shipping without requiring complex active control systems.
2Reliability
If air is purged from the printing system, then air accumulation problems are reduced, but ink and air froth is generated which can damage the microporous membrane
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the membrane chamber from the ink chamber, the system allows air to be purged from the printing system while the membrane remains isolated from the ink-air froth. The froth is contained in the ink chamber and cannot reach the membrane, eliminating the harmful effect of froth damage while maintaining the beneficial air purging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism acts as an intermediary that controls communication between chambers. It allows air to pass through the ink chamber for purging while preventing the ink-air froth from reaching the membrane chamber, thus mediating between the need for air removal and membrane protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ink container is designed with permanent installation, then manufacturing and operating costs are reduced, but air accumulation occurs over time in the printing system
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows air to be discarded from the printing system by purging it back to the ink container, where it can be vented. The microporous membrane enables this air recovery process while preventing ink loss, thus maintaining reliable printing performance over time with a permanently installed print head.
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 effectively prevents membrane degradation during shipping and ensures reliable air and ink separation, maintaining print quality by isolating the membrane from ink exposure until installation, thus reducing the risk of leakage and maintaining the membrane's non-wetting characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
A microporous membrane may be installed in the ink container to separate ink and air from the ink/air froth which is generated when ink is pumped back and forth between the ink container and a ink supply station. The microporous property of the membrane prevents ink from flowing through it while allowing air to pass back and forth.
Implementation Method 2
An ink/air separator utilizing a microporous membrane (hereinafter "membrane") may be installed in the ink container to separate ink and air from the ink/air froth which is generated when ink is pumped back and forth between the ink container and a ink supply station.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink container has a first chamber configured to contain ink, a second chamber configured to enclose an ink-air separating membrane consisting of a wet side portion and a dry side portion, and a structure configured to connect the first and second chambers. A sealing arrangement which is associated with the structure and which keeps the first and second chambers fluidly isolated from each other until the ink container is disposed on a printer ink supply station and ink can be supplied from the first chamber to the printer.