Thermally Conductive Elements in Phase Change Ink Reservoirs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phase change ink jet printers experience prolonged warm-up times and bubble formation due to freeze/thaw cycles, which affect print quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating thermally conductive elements such as fibers or beads within the ink reservoir to increase thermal conductivity, along with heaters mechanically and thermally coupled to these elements, to accelerate ink melting and reduce bubble formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If phase change ink is used in ink jet printers, then ink storage and transport are simplified, but warm-up time is prolonged and bubble formation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink storage and transportVSAvoidwarm-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase change (solid to liquid) of the ink through thermal heating. The ink reservoir incorporates heating elements that raise the temperature of the solid phase change ink above its melting point, causing it to expand and transition to liquid form for printing operation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling easy storage in solid state while allowing quick transition to liquid state for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

Solution Approach 2:

The patent explicitly employs phase change materials that transition from solid to liquid state. The ink reservoir system maintains the ink in solid form during storage and transport, then rapidly melts it to liquid form during operation. This phase transition approach simplifies storage while requiring controlled heating to eliminate the warm-up time penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of operation

If phase change ink undergoes freeze/thaw cycles, then ink can be stored at room temperature, but bubble formation affects print quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink storageVSAvoidbubble formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates heating elements within the ink reservoir that preemptively melt the phase change ink before printing operations begin. By maintaining the ink in a controlled liquid state through continuous or pre-heating, the system prevents freeze/thaw cycles that would otherwise create bubbles and degrade print quality. This preliminary heating action eliminates the harmful bubble formation while preserving easy room temperature storage capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If heaters are used to melt phase change ink, then ink can be maintained above melting point, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink temperature controlVSAvoidheating energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs heating elements that continuously maintain the phase change ink above its melting point during printing operations. This continuous heating ensures reliable ink temperature control and prevents re-freezing, but necessarily increases energy consumption compared to intermittent heating. The system prioritizes temperature reliability over energy efficiency by maintaining constant thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution significantly reduces warm-up time and minimizes bubble formation, enhancing print quality and efficiency by maintaining the ink above its melting point quickly and providing nucleation sites for voids to dissolve upon re-melting.

Implementation Method 1

at least one structure comprising one or more thermally conductive elements disposed within the ink reservoir and arranged to increase a thermal conductivity within the ink reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heater configured to heat the ink to a temperature above a melting point of the ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

phase change ink jet printers... phase change ink having a thermal conductivity... heat the ink to a temperature above a melting point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9061513B2Ink reservoir containing structure

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 XEROX CORP

AI summary

Ink reservoir subassemblies for phase change ink can be designed and configured to include at least one structure comprising elements disposed within the ink reservoir. The elements may include fibers and/or beads that occupy a majority of a volume of the reservoir. The elements may provide enhanced thermal conductivity, ink filtering and/or bubble reduction.