Intermittent Liquid Transfer Prevents Bag Suction Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems face issues with sedimentation of pigment particles in ink, leading to ejection failures and concentration variations due to increased viscosity, and existing transfer methods can result in ink being left in the transfer source when the spout pack's bag portion transitions to a suction contact state, preventing further ink discharge.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a first container, a second container, and a transfer unit controlled by a controller to intermittently and repeatedly transfer ink before the bag portion transitions to a suction contact state, ensuring ink is transferred from the first container to the second container efficiently and reducing ink left in the source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump continuously sucks ink from the spout pack, then the ink transfer efficiency is improved, but the bag portion transitions to a suction contact state where films come into contact and ink discharge stops
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates in periodic cycles, alternating between suction mode and non-suction mode. During suction mode, ink is transferred from the spout pack to the tank. During non-suction mode, the bag portion relaxes and returns to its original state, preventing the films from coming into contact. This periodic operation allows continuous ink transfer without reaching the suction contact state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational states (suction and non-suction) based on the bag portion's deformation state. The pump's suction force is dynamically adjusted by alternating its operation, allowing the flexible bag portion to dynamically change shape between contracted (during suction) and relaxed (during non-suction) states, thereby preventing permanent contact between films.
2Quantity of substance
If the transfer operation is performed until the bag portion reaches the suction contact state, then the ink transfer completeness is improved, but the transfer operation cannot be restarted and a large amount of ink remains in the ink cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing one continuous transfer operation until the suction contact state is reached, the system uses multiple periodic transfer operations. Each operation transfers a portion of the ink and then pauses, allowing the bag portion to reset. This enables the transfer operation to be restarted multiple times, achieving complete ink transfer without leaving significant ink in the cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary transfer operations in stages, transferring ink in multiple intervals rather than attempting to transfer all ink in one continuous operation. This staged approach allows the bag portion to return to its original state between transfers, maintaining the ability to restart operations and achieve complete transfer.
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 approach effectively reduces the amount of ink left in the transfer source, preventing ejection failures and concentration variations by ensuring complete transfer before the suction contact state is reached, thereby maintaining ink flow and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for transfer sucks the ink from the spout pack
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device includes: a first container including a bag portion configured to house liquid; a second container configured to house the liquid transferred from the first container; a transfer unit configured to transfer the liquid from the first container to the second container; and a controller configured to control the transfer unit to intermittently and repeatedly execute a transfer operation of starting transfer of the liquid and then completing the transfer before a side of the bag portion toward the transfer unit transitions to a suction contact state upon transferring the liquid from the first container to the second container.