Integrated Ink Storage for Multi-Head Printers with Gas Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printers with multiple heads face challenges in arranging inkjet heads due to space limitations, require separate ink storage and pressure control devices for each head, and struggle with ink dispersibility and air bubble introduction during initial ink injection.

Innovation Solution

An ink storage device for multi-head inkjet printers with separate sections for supplying and recovering ink, controlled by a gas pressure system to manage internal pressures and prevent air bubbles, and a partition wall to ensure precise ink flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple ink storage devices and pressure control devices are installed for each inkjet head, then each inkjet head can maintain proper meniscus pressure, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeniscus pressure maintenanceVSAvoidnumber of ink storage devices and pressure control devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple ink storage chambers into a single integrated ink storage device with a common ink supply system. Multiple inkjet heads share this single ink storage device, which includes a unified pressure control mechanism. This merging approach maintains the ability to control meniscus pressure for each head while reducing the overall number of components compared to having separate ink storage devices for each head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If ink storage device is connected to multiple inkjet heads with separate supply and recovery tubes, then ink can be supplied to and recovered from each head, but air bubbles may be introduced during initial ink injection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink supply to multiple headsVSAvoidair bubble introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the air bubble introduction problem from the ink injection process by implementing a one-way valve mechanism in the recovery tube. This valve allows ink to flow from the inkjet head back to the ink storage device during normal operation, but prevents air from entering the system during initial ink injection. By separating the air prevention function into a specific component (the one-way valve), the system can maintain productivity while eliminating the harmful air bubble effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If ink with dispersed metallic particles or quantum dots is stored in ink storage unit, then inkjet printing can be applied for electrode patterns and OLED displays, but particles sink due to their own weight causing low dispersibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication for electrode patterns and OLED displaysVSAvoidink dispersibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a circulation system that actively moves ink from the ink storage device through the inkjet heads and back to the storage device. This preliminary circulation action prevents particles from settling before they can be properly distributed. The continuous movement of ink ensures that metallic particles and quantum dots remain suspended and evenly distributed throughout the ink, maintaining dispersibility for high-precision printing applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simplifies the configuration, prevents air bubble introduction during ink injection, and maintains ink dispersibility, enabling efficient and precise inkjet printing.

Implementation Method 1

a gas pressure control hole to which a gas pressure control pipe connected to a gas pressure control device for controlling an internal gas pressure is connected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure control: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the ink ready to be ejected from an inkjet head needs to maintain a meniscus, the concave curved surface of the ink formed at a nozzle inlet due to capillary action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20250326233A1Ink storage device for multi-head inkjet printer and multi-head ink-jet printer including same

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 GOSANTECH

AI summary

Proposed is an ink storage device for multi-head inkjet printers including a first section which is an airtight space where ink supplied to two or more inkjet heads is stored, and where a plurality of supply holes is formed to which a plurality of supply pipes for supplying ink to each of the two or more inkjet heads is connected, a second section isolated from the first section, which is an airtight space where ink recovered from the two or more inkjet heads is stored, and where a plurality of recovery holes is formed to which a plurality of recovery pipes for recovering ink from each of the two or more inkjet heads is connected, and a gas connection adjustment part including a gas passage through which upper air may move between the first and second sections, and a gas valve to open and close the gas passage.