Inkjet Pressure-Regulating Valve With Nonlinear Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing systems face challenges in maintaining consistent ink pressure across multiple printheads, leading to high costs due to the need for expensive diaphragm pumps and electronically-controlled pressure regulators, and passive pressure regulating valves suffer from hysteresis and limited flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating valve design featuring a diaphragm-controlled second valve member with a spring bias, which passively regulates fluid flow through an orifice without sealing or shut-off functions, allowing for linear control of flow rates and minimizing hysteresis, combined with a solenoid-actuated first valve member for shut-off operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive pressure regulating valves with sealing or shut-off functions are used, then localized pressure control is achieved, but hysteresis and fluctuating pressures occur due to sealing and opening operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the pressure regulating valve by providing a separate shut-off valve, allowing the pressure regulating valve to focus solely on pressure control without the harmful hysteresis caused by repeated sealing and opening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The ink delivery system is segmented into two distinct functional components: a shut-off valve for sealing operations and a pressure regulating valve for continuous pressure control, eliminating the interference between these functions that causes hysteresis
2Ease of manufacture
If passive pressure regulating valves are used, then low cost and localized pressure control are achieved, but high flow rates cannot be readily achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulating valve uses a dynamic diaphragm mechanism that responds to pressure changes to automatically adjust the orifice opening, enabling the valve to adapt to varying flow rate requirements while maintaining low cost and localized control
3Reliability
If expensive diaphragm pumps and electronically-controlled pressure regulators are used, then consistent ink pressure across multiple printheads is achieved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulating valve is designed as a self-regulating device that automatically maintains consistent ink pressure across multiple printheads without requiring expensive electronic controllers or complex pump systems, achieving reliable pressure control through passive mechanical means
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 provides cost-effective, localized pressure control for inkjet printheads, maintaining consistent ink pressure across multiple printheads while reducing hysteresis and operational costs, and enabling efficient ink flow management.
Implementation Method 1
a regulator chamber having the outlet port and comprising a diaphragm operatively connected to the second valve member, such that movement of the diaphragm moves the second valve member relative to the second orifice
Implementation Method 2
a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the second orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead. The valve includes: a fluid flow path defined between a valve inlet and a valve outlet; an orifice positioned in the flow path; a movable valve member configured for regulating a fluid flow rate through the orifice; a regulator chamber having the valve outlet and including a diaphragm operatively connected to the valve member, such that movement of the diaphragm moves the valve member relative to the orifice; and a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the orifice. An outer surface of the valve member is non-linearly flared away from the diaphragm.