Continuous Inkjet Cartridge Interface for Solvent Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous inkjet printers using pigmented inks face issues with sedimentation of pigment particles forming thick, viscous layers that can cause blockages in supply pathways, particularly when cartridges are left installed for extended periods, leading to complex printer operations and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A single cartridge connection system that can engage both ink and solvent cartridges, allowing solvent to flush and clean components, reducing the risk of blockages by using solvent to maintain ink viscosity and prevent sediment buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single cartridge connection is used to alternately extract ink and solvent, then the risk of blockages is reduced and ink consistency is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to the need to manage both ink and solvent cartridges through a single connection point
Solution Approach 1:
The single cartridge connection is designed to accommodate both ink cartridges and solvent cartridges through the same physical interface. The connection structure includes a fluid pathway that can transport either ink or solvent, and a cartridge holder that secures both types of cartridges. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate connections for ink and solvent, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through consistent fluid delivery.
2Reliability
If solvent is used to flush and clean components, then sediment buildup is prevented and ink viscosity is maintained, but the loss of substance increases due to solvent consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning where the solvent cartridge automatically flushes the fluid pathway and cartridge connection components during normal operation. The solvent flows through the same pathway that delivers ink, continuously cleaning pigment particles from the walls and preventing sediment buildup. This self-cleaning mechanism maintains reliable ink flow without requiring separate manual cleaning operations, and the solvent consumption is optimized by using the minimum amount needed for effective flushing.
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 effectively prevents blockages and maintains ink consistency by using a single cartridge connection to alternately extract ink and solvent, ensuring uninterrupted printing operations and minimizing maintenance disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous stream of ink emanating from a nozzle is broken up into individual regular drops by, for example, an oscillating piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
The drops are directed past a charge electrode where they are selectively and separately given a predetermined charge
Implementation Method 3
passing through a transverse electric field provided across a pair of deflection plates. Each charged drop is deflected by the field by an amount that is dependent on its charge magnitude
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for continuous ink jet printing, comprising: an ink system comprising an ink storage tank (15) operable to supply ink to a print head associated with the apparatus; a single cartridge connection (9) for releasable engagement with a fluid cartridge (8), the cartridge connection (9) comprising: a fluid connector (10) for engaging an outlet of a fluid cartridge; and a conduit configured to allow fluid to flow along a fluid pathway from a cartridge engaged with the cartridge connection, via the fluid connector, to the ink storage tank. The apparatus has a first configuration in which a solvent cartridge is engaged with the cartridge connection and in which the apparatus is configured to receive solvent from the engaged solvent cartridge, and a second configuration in which an ink cartridge is engaged with the cartridge connection and in which the apparatus is configured to receive ink from the engaged ink cartridge.