Ink Supply System Pressure Relief During Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with ink swelling and leakage from the ink head during standby due to temperature increases, which can cause ink in the main supply channel to swell and leak.
Innovation Solution
An ink supply system with a controller that switches the open/closed state of upstream and downstream valves periodically during standby to release pressure in the main supply channel, preventing ink from swelling and leaking by ensuring that the pressure is released towards the ink cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the solenoid valve is closed during standby to prevent ink from being supplied to the ink head, then ink consumption is reduced and printing readiness is maintained, but ink may swell and leak from the ink head due to temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic opening and closing of the solenoid valve during standby periods. The controller opens the valve for a predetermined time interval to release pressure in the main supply channel, then closes it to prevent ink flow. This periodic action prevents ink swelling by regularly relieving pressure buildup while maintaining overall ink supply control during standby.
2Reliability
If the solenoid valve is opened during standby to release pressure in the main supply channel, then ink swelling and leakage are prevented, but ink is continuously supplied to the ink head which may cause waste and reduce printing readiness
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic opening and closing of the solenoid valve during standby. The valve is opened for a predetermined time interval to release pressure and prevent ink swelling, then closed to stop ink flow. This periodic control prevents continuous ink consumption while still achieving pressure relief to prevent swelling.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of keeping the valve open continuously to fully prevent swelling, the system uses partial action by opening the valve only for predetermined time intervals. This partial opening is sufficient to release pressure and prevent swelling without causing continuous ink supply and waste.
3Productivity
If the solenoid valve is closed during standby to maintain printing readiness, then ink supply control is maintained, but pressure buildup in the main supply channel causes ink to swell and potentially leak
Solution Approach 1:
The controller periodically opens the solenoid valve during standby to release pressure in the main supply channel, then closes it to maintain ink supply control. This periodic action prevents pressure buildup that would cause ink swelling while maintaining printing readiness through controlled valve operation.
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
Prevents ink from swelling and leaking from the ink head during standby by maintaining pressure release through periodic valve state switching, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the printer.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure in the main supply channel is released toward the first ink cartridge
Implementation Method 2
A solenoid valve is provided at a downstream portion of the main supply channel. When printing, the solenoid valve is opened so that ink stored in the ink cartridge and/or the other ink tank is supplied to the ink head
Data Source
AI summary
In an ink supply system, a main ink tank and an ink head are connected together via a main supply channel. A sub-ink tank is connected to the main supply channel via a sub-supply channel. An upstream-side valve is provided on an upstream-side portion of the main supply channel. During standby, a first standby setting processor of a controller sets a first standby state in which a first upstream-side valve is open, and a second standby setting processor sets a second standby state in which the first upstream-side valve is closed. A standby state determination processor determines whether or not the amount of time elapsed from when a setting operation was done by the first standby setting processor or the second standby setting processor is greater than or equal to a first amount of time. The standby state switching processor switches between the first standby state and the second standby state when it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the first amount of time.