Inkjet Head Sealing Element with Spring Ring Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet writing heads face issues with solvent-induced shrinkage or expansion of sealing elements, leading to leaks and reduced durability, making maintenance difficult and increasing wear, especially when used with different solvents like water, ethanol, or acetone.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a spring ring that actively presses the sealing element radially against the ink chamber section, ensuring a consistent seal regardless of solvent effects, combined with a design that allows easy replacement and additional sealing means for external contamination prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing elements are made from rubber-like materials to provide flexible sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the sealing elements shrink or expand when exposed to different solvents (water, ethanol, acetone), leading to leaks and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sealing element from conventional rubber-like materials to PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), which has zero thermal expansion and chemical inertness. This material substitution eliminates the dimensional instability caused by solvent exposure while maintaining effective sealing, as PTFE does not shrink or expand when exposed to water, ethanol, acetone, or other solvents.
2Reliability
If sealing elements are made larger to ensure complete sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the complexity of replacing sealed components increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing system into a modular design where the PTFE sealing element is a separate, replaceable component. The sealing element can be independently removed and replaced without disassembling the entire pump housing or motor assembly, significantly easing maintenance operations despite the sealing element's adequate size for reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The PTFE sealing element is extracted as a distinct, removable component from the pump assembly. It can be taken out through a accessible opening in the pump housing without requiring complete disassembly of the motor or pump mechanism, allowing easy replacement while maintaining reliable sealing during operation.
3Area of stationary object
If pulling devices are arranged closer together to match outlet opening spacing, then device compactness is improved, but the pulling elements become too long which complicates the mechanism and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pulling element system with an electromagnetic actuation system. Electromagnetic coils are positioned close to the outlet openings and directly actuate the closing bodies without requiring long mechanical linkages. This substitution eliminates the need for long pulling elements while maintaining the ability to open and close outlet openings, significantly reducing device complexity and improving reliability.
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 significantly enhances the durability and reliability of the inkjet writing head by maintaining a tight seal under varying solvent conditions and allows for easy maintenance, reducing the risk of ink contact with moving parts and external contamination, thus extending the device's service life and simplifying repairs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring ring (60) which surrounds the sealing element (36) radially outside of the ink chamber section (28) of the guide tube (26)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The inkjet recording head (1) has a housing (2) comprising an ink pressure chamber (4) in which is ink is filled. An outlet opening (14) is arranged in front wall (6) of ink pressure chamber. A closing structure (20) is arranged to close the outlet opening. A sealing element (36) is arranged to enclose ink chamber section (28) of guide tube (26) protruded from ink pressure chamber. The tension elements (22) are partially guided in guide tube. A spring ring (60) is arranged in the region located radially outside of ink chamber section of guide tube.