Ink Supply System Pressure Stabilization via Pump Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial inkjet printing, undesired fluctuations in hydrodynamic ink pressure occur due to varying ink flow requirements, leading to potential ink leakage and air entry into printing heads, which deteriorate print quality.
Innovation Solution
A device with a controllable element, such as a fast-acting pump, is integrated into the ink supply system to parallelly supply ink with printing elements, allowing for real-time compensation of pressure fluctuations by adjusting ink flow rates in a closed control loop, thereby stabilizing hydrostatic pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If circulation pumps are used to supply ink to printing heads, then ink flow can be maintained, but hydrodynamic pressure fluctuates due to varying print image information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting the required ink volume based on print image information before actual printing occurs. The circulation pump is pre-adjusted to deliver the appropriate ink volume, preventing pressure fluctuations before they happen. This is achieved through analyzing the print data and calculating the exact ink consumption requirements in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual ink volume consumed during printing and comparing it with the predicted volume. Based on this feedback, the circulation pump's rotation speed is dynamically adjusted to maintain constant hydrodynamic pressure. The feedback loop ensures that any deviations from the desired pressure are corrected in real-time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If circulation pump speed is adjusted to compensate for pressure fluctuations, then pressure stability can be improved, but the pump cannot respond fast enough to rapid changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting the required ink volume based on print image information before actual printing occurs. The circulation pump is pre-adjusted to deliver the appropriate ink volume, preventing pressure fluctuations before they happen. This is achieved through analyzing the print data and calculating the exact ink consumption requirements in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual ink volume consumed during printing and comparing it with the predicted volume. Based on this feedback, the circulation pump's rotation speed is dynamically adjusted to maintain constant hydrodynamic pressure. The feedback loop ensures that any deviations from the desired pressure are corrected in real-time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hydrostatic pressure is modified to prevent fluctuations, then pressure stability improves, but ink may leak or air may enter the printing heads
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the print image information itself to determine the ink volume requirements. The same data that describes what needs to be printed is also used to calculate how much ink will be consumed and to adjust the circulation pump accordingly. This eliminates the need for separate pressure control mechanisms that could compromise print quality.
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
This solution effectively reduces or eliminates detrimental pressure fluctuations, ensuring consistent ink flow and improving print quality by rapidly adjusting to changes in ink demand during printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
An ink supply device in such a machine commonly comprises an ink reservoir, a supply line leading to the printing heads, and a return line leading back to the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The hydrostatic pressure may be set by the height arrangement of the components involved
Implementation Method 3
undesired fluctuation in the hydrodynamic pressure of the ink may occur since the flow of ink (ink volume per unit of time) is a function of the print image information to be printed, which varies over time
Data Source
AI summary
A device that prints with ink includes an ink reservoir for ink and an arrangement of multiple printing elements, for instance printing heads. The printing elements are identical with one another, they generate ink drops, and they are supplied in parallel with ink from a joint supply line. A further element, which is different from the printing element and which is controllable in terms of its ink flow, for instance a pump, is supplied with ink in parallel with the printing elements by the same supply line. Undesirable hydrostatic pressure changes in the ink are reduced as much as possible, or even eliminated.