Ink Port Adapter Converts Multi-Color Inkjet Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of inkjet heads often need to purchase multiple types of inkjet heads to accommodate different printing needs, such as switching between single-color, two-color, and four-color printing, which can be inconvenient and costly.

Innovation Solution

The development of ink port adapters that allow a four-color inkjet head to be converted into a two-color or single-color head, and a two-color inkjet head to be converted into a single-color head, using a body with hose fittings, ink paths, and o-rings to connect and seal with the inkjet head's ports, allowing for flexible color usage without the need for multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users purchase multiple types of inkjet heads to accommodate different printing needs, then printing versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting versatilityVSAvoidnumber of inkjet heads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter enables a single multi-color inkjet head to perform multiple printing functions by selectively connecting to different numbers of ink ports. The adapter can be configured to support four-color, two-color, or single-color printing modes, allowing one physical device to replace multiple specialized inkjet heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter divides the ink port connections into separate, independently controllable pathways. By providing separate ink paths for different colors and allowing selective activation of these paths through control circuits, the system can segment the multi-color capability into discrete functional modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If users purchase multiple types of inkjet heads for different printing needs, then printing flexibility is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of inkjet heads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a four-color inkjet head is converted to two-color or single-color using an adapter, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of inkjet headsVSAvoidcolor configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates dynamic control mechanisms including electronically controlled valves or movable seals that can change the ink pathway configuration in real-time. This allows the system to transition between different color printing modes (four-color, two-color, single-color) based on operational requirements, maintaining adaptability while reducing physical device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9849682B2Ink port adapter for inkjet head

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

Ink port adapters for multi-color inkjet heads. In one embodiment, the ink port adapter includes two hose fittings for connecting to hoses, and four openings that align with four ink ports of a four-color inkjet head. The adapter includes one ink path that connects one of the hose fittings to two of the openings, and another ink path that connects the other hose fitting to the other two openings. The adapter therefore converts the four-color inkjet head into a two-color inkjet head.