Ink Delivery System Orientation via 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 orientations, and often struggle with efficient ink distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a system of interconnected tanks with pressure differentials and pumps to maintain constant meniscus pressure across flow-through print heads, allowing ink to be controllably dispensed regardless of orientation, using conduits and flow restrictors to regulate ink flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gravity feed systems are used to deliver ink, then the system is simple and passive, but it requires specific height configurations and cannot print at non-vertical angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using pressurized air to deliver ink through a fluid communication system. The air pressure forces ink through conduits and past flow restrictors to the print head, replacing gravity-dependent flow with pressure-driven flow, enabling printing at any orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving parameter for ink flow from gravitational force to pressure differential. By controlling air pressure in the first tank and vacuum pressure in the second tank, the system can maintain consistent ink flow regardless of orientation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If pumps are added to control pressure differentials, then ink flow can be controlled at any orientation, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure from an air supply and vacuum from a vacuum supply to control ink flow, replacing mechanical pumps with fluid pressure control. This achieves oriented printing capability while using different types of control mechanisms that may be more integrated into the system
3Reliability
If conventional ink delivery systems are used, then the system is simple, but it cannot maintain constant meniscus pressure when orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates level sensors that detect ink levels in the tanks and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts air pressure and vacuum levels accordingly to maintain constant meniscus pressure at the print head, ensuring reliable ink flow during orientation changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes pressure parameters (air pressure in first tank, vacuum pressure in second tank) in response to orientation changes and ink level feedback, maintaining constant meniscus pressure through active parameter control rather than passive gravity-dependent flow
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 ink delivery to print heads at any orientation relative to gravity, ensuring consistent ink flow and meniscus pressure, facilitating printing at various angles without the need for gravity-dependent setups, and allowing for dynamic orientation changes during printing.
Implementation Method 1
The method provides a pressure differential across the print heads to cause ink to flow through the print heads and into one of the tanks
Implementation Method 2
maintain a substantially constant meniscus pressure at the plurality of print heads
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
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.