Inkjet Plotter Damper for Printhead Pressure Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet plotters experience pressure fluctuations in the recirculation circuit due to carriage accelerations and decelerations, leading to nozzle malfunctions and poor print quality due to deviations from the predetermined operating pressure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an ink accumulation chamber with an expandable septum and a compensation chamber in the recirculation circuit, connected to the printheads via flexible tubes, to stabilize pressure by compensating for temporary pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the carriage slides at high speed with accelerations and decelerations to cover large printing areas quickly, then productivity is improved, but pressure fluctuations occur in the recirculation circuit causing nozzle malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damper device with an accumulation chamber and expandable septum in the recirculation circuit before pressure fluctuations reach the printheads. This damper acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and compensates for pressure variations caused by carriage accelerations and decelerations, preventing them from reaching the printheads and causing nozzle malfunctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper device serves as an intermediary element between the recirculation circuit and the printheads. It mediates the transmission of pressure fluctuations by providing a compensation mechanism that isolates the sensitive printheads from the dynamic pressure changes generated during high-speed carriage movement.
2Ease of operation
If the recirculation circuit uses long flexible tubes to connect fixed tanks to moving printheads, then ease of operation is improved, but pressure deviations increase due to the length of tubes during carriage acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The damper device acts as an intermediary component in the recirculation circuit, positioned between the tanks and printheads. It compensates for pressure deviations that occur along the long flexible tubes during carriage acceleration, maintaining pressure stability despite the necessary tube length for operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable septum in the damper device changes its volume dynamically in response to pressure fluctuations. This parameter change allows the accumulation chamber to expand or contract, absorbing pressure variations and maintaining stable operating pressure in the recirculation circuit.
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 minimizes pressure deviations at the printheads, ensuring consistent ink dispensing and improved print quality by maintaining the predetermined operating pressure.
Implementation Method 1
an ink accumulation chamber with an expandable septum and a compensation chamber in the recirculation circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A plotter for inkjet printing. The plotter comprises a frame comprising a sliding guide and a carriage slidably constrained thereto and movable along it in opposite first and second directions. The carriage supports printheads, each comprising a plurality of ink dispensing nozzles. An ink tank is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the frame. An ink recirculation circuit comprising a delivery branch and a return branch is provided. The plotter comprises a damper for the printheads, which is integral with the carriage and connected to at least one of the delivery branch and the return branch. The damper comprises an ink accumulation chamber and a compensation chamber. The ink accumulation chamber is in fluid communication with said recirculation circuit and the compensation chamber can be in fluid communication with the external environment, a source of compressed air or with a vacuum pump.