Continuous Inkjet Printer Head Digital Serial Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial continuous inkjet printers face challenges with the complexity and cost of their umbilical cables, which are bulky, expensive, and difficult to integrate due to numerous wires and significant diameter, leading to increased electronic component size, power consumption, and heat dissipation issues.
Innovation Solution
A digital serial link is used to transmit data between the console and the printing head through a bidirectional digital serial line, reducing the number of wires and incorporating all data processing digitally within the printing head, eliminating the need for analog signal handling in the console and miniaturizing electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If analog signal handling and electronic control functions are implemented in the console, then control capability is maintained, but the umbilical cable diameter and weight increase due to numerous wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts electronic control functions from the console and relocates them to the printing head. The head now contains its own electronic control circuit that autonomously handles signal processing, while the console is reduced to providing only power and digital data. This extraction eliminates the need for numerous analog signal wires in the umbilical cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of analog signal transmission through multiple wires with a digital communication system. A single digital data line carries encoded information between the console and head, substituting the bulky analog wiring infrastructure with a compact digital interface.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple wires are used for power supply and signal transmission, then functional requirements are met, but material costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate wire functions into a single integrated digital data line. Power supply, data transmission, and control signals are combined into one communication channel, dramatically reducing the quantity of wiring materials needed and simplifying the umbilical cable assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital data line serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power delivery, transmits control data from the console, sends status information from the head, and carries sensor readings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated wires for each function.
3Use of energy by moving object
If analog electronics are installed in the console for head control, then control precision is maintained, but power consumption and heat dissipation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electronic control system into two parts: minimal digital control in the console and full analog signal processing in the head. This segmentation allows the console to consume minimal power while the head, which requires precise analog handling, processes signals locally without adding burden to the console's power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A supply cable (15a) of a printing head of a continuous inkjet printer is disclosed, including: - means (510, 511, 512, 513, 514) for supplying fluids to the head,, - means (532) forming a bidirectional digital serial link in order to transmit digital data between the head and the means (110) for driving the printer, - low voltage power supply means (520). A circuit for a printing head of a continuous jet printer is also disclosed, as well as to a method for transmitting data to this printing head.