Inkjet Head Circulation Manifold Prevents Nozzle Clogging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet heads face issues with ink drying and clogging in nozzles and chambers when not in use, particularly with heavy pigments or materials used in 3D printing, leading to operational inefficiencies and the need for frequent cleaning.
Innovation Solution
An additional restrictor plate is integrated into the inkjet head structure to form a return manifold, allowing ink to circulate through the ink channels, preventing drying and clogging by controlling the flow of ink from chambers near the nozzles into the return manifold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inkjet head operates without circulation system, then structure is simple, but ink dries and clogs nozzles when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the supply manifold and return manifold into a single integrated manifold structure. The manifold serves dual functions: supplying ink to chambers through supply openings and receiving returned ink through return openings. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the circulation function, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs ink supply, ink return reception, and circulation flow path provision. By making the manifold universal in its functions, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby resolving the contradiction between improving nozzle clogging prevention and minimizing device complexity.
2Reliability
If additional restrictor plate is added for circulation, then ink drying is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the return restrictors directly into the restrictor plate that already exists in the inkjet head structure. Rather than adding a completely separate component, the return restrictors are formed as openings in the existing restrictor plate, allowing ink return flow control to be combined with the existing flow control function. This reduces the increase in device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefit of preventing ink drying.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ink circulation is implemented, then pigment settling is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to enable passive ink circulation through pressure differentials created during normal printing operation. Ink flows from chambers back through the manifold without requiring active pumping mechanisms. This hydraulic approach maintains ink composition uniformity by preventing pigment settling while avoiding complex manufacturing requirements associated with active pumping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system is designed to operate automatically using the existing pressure dynamics of the inkjet printing process itself. During printing, pressure changes naturally drive ink through the circulation path, eliminating the need for external control systems or additional power sources. This self-service mechanism improves ink composition stability while keeping manufacturing simple.
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 ink circulation mechanism effectively prevents ink from drying and clogging, ensuring continuous functionality and reducing maintenance needs by automatically priming channels, removing air bubbles, and preventing pigment settling.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric actuator includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements that attach to the diaphragm plate. Each piezoelectric element corresponds to one of the chambers formed in the chamber plate. When electrical signals are selectively applied to the piezoelectric elements, the elements expand and contract.
Implementation Method 2
Circulation of ink through the ink channels provides advantages, such as automatically priming the ink channels with little waste, removing air bubbles near the nozzles, preventing heavy pigments from settling, and keeping ink from drying at the nozzles.
Implementation Method 3
The restrictor plate also includes a row of openings which form restrictors that fluidly connect the chambers to the ink supply and that control the flow of ink into the chambers.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An inkjet head that is able to circulate ink. The inkjet head includes a diaphragm plate, a first restrictor plate, one or more chamber plates, a second restrictor plate, and an orifice plate. The orifice plate forms a plurality of nozzles. The chamber plates form a plurality of chambers corresponding with the nozzles, and also form a return manifold for receiving ink from the chambers when circulating the ink through the inkjet head. The diaphragm plate forms a diaphragm that seals the chambers. The first restrictor plate controls a flow of ink between the chambers and the return manifold to circulate the ink through the inkjet head. The second restrictor plate controls the flow of ink between a supply manifold and the chambers.