Ink Delivery System with Closed Loop Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink delivery systems are limited by gravity and require specific height configurations, making it difficult to deliver ink to print heads at non-vertical angles or in directions significantly from vertical, and often cannot maintain efficient ink flow in such orientations.
Innovation Solution
An ink delivery system with a closed loop configuration, including multiple tanks with level sensors and pumps, and pressure regulators, which allows for fluid communication between tanks and print heads, enabling ink flow through pressure differentials and flow restrictors, allowing print heads to operate at various angles without reliance on gravity feed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gravity feed systems are used to deliver ink, then the system is simple and passive, but the system cannot deliver ink effectively at non-vertical angles or directions significantly from vertical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-based passive mechanical system with an active pump-driven fluid delivery system. The pump mechanism actively propels ink through the system, eliminating dependence on gravitational force and enabling ink delivery at various orientations including non-vertical angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluid communication system with pumps and pressure differentials to control ink flow. This hydraulic approach uses pressurized fluid dynamics rather than gravity, allowing the print head to operate at any orientation while maintaining controlled ink delivery through pressure regulation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional ink delivery systems are used, then height between components must be maintained constant, but this limits the system's ability to print at various angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic pressure control through pumps and regulators that can adapt to changing orientations. The system transitions from a static gravity-dependent configuration to a dynamic pressure-regulated system that maintains stable ink flow regardless of print head orientation or height variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the controlling parameter from height (gravitational potential) to pressure (fluid dynamic). By regulating pressure differentials across the print head, the system maintains consistent ink flow characteristics regardless of orientation, effectively decoupling flow stability from vertical height requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure differentials are used to control ink flow, then ink can be delivered at any orientation, but the system becomes more complex with multiple tanks and pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the fluid delivery system: tanks serve both as reservoirs and pressure regulation chambers, pumps provide both ink propulsion and pressure differential control, and the closed-loop fluid path handles both supply and return functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-regulating features where the closed-loop fluid communication and pressure differential mechanisms automatically maintain ink flow without external intervention. The fill sensors and pressure regulators create self-balancing conditions that reduce the need for complex external control systems.
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
Enables print heads to function at any orientation relative to gravity, maintaining constant meniscus pressure and controlling ink flow rates, allowing for efficient ink delivery and printing in any direction, including opposing gravity, without the need for constant height adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to pump ink from the first tank to the second tank
Implementation Method 2
a pressure differential across the print head causes ink to flow through the print head
Implementation Method 3
a first tank including a fill sensor; a second tank including a fill sensor; a third tank including a fill sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An ink delivery system includes a first tank including a fill sensor; a second tank including a fill sensor; a pump configured to pump ink from the first tank to the second tank; a third tank including a fill sensor; a print head in fluid communication with the second tank and the third tank. In an embodiment, the third tank is in fluid communication with the first tank and may be configured to provide a closed loop system, the second tank is in fluid communication with the third tank, and a pressure differential across the print head causes ink to flow through the print head. For some embodiments, pumps may be provided to control pressure differentials and print heads may print at one or more angles.