Local Humidification for Fluidic Dispensing Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluidic ejection heads in devices like inkjet printers face inefficiencies due to evaporation of volatiles in fluids, leading to increased viscosity and nozzle drying, especially in environments with low humidity, which existing sealing methods fail to effectively address.

Innovation Solution

A fluidic dispensing device with separate nozzles for a primary fluid and a humidification fluid, controlled by humidity sensors and a controller to maintain desired humidity levels around the primary nozzles, using a humidification substrate and heating device to evaporate the humidification fluid as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing methods are used to cover nozzles, then fluid evaporation is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness deteriorates during long periods of inactivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary humidification of the local environment before and during periods of inactivity. By pre-establishing a humid micro-environment around the nozzles using humidification nozzles and substrates, the system prevents volatile evaporation and nozzle drying before they occur, eliminating the need for effective sealing during extended idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary humidification system between the fluidic ejection head and the external environment. This intermediary consists of humidification nozzles, humidification substrates, and heating devices that create a controlled humid micro-environment, preventing direct evaporation from the nozzles without requiring seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If humidification fluid is continuously ejected, then humidity levels are maintained, but fluid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity controlVSAvoidhumidification fluid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by controlling humidification nozzle activation based on detected humidity levels. The controller activates humidification nozzles only when humidity falls below a threshold and deactivates them when the threshold is met, creating a periodic on-off cycle that maintains humidity while minimizing fluid consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control using humidity sensors that continuously monitor the local environment's humidity levels. The controller receives signals from these sensors and adjusts humidification nozzle activation accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains optimal humidity while avoiding unnecessary fluid consumption during periods when humidity is already sufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If heating device is used to evaporate humidification fluid, then humidity is increased, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity levelVSAvoidheating energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only when humidity levels drop below the threshold. The controller manages heating cycles based on sensor feedback, turning the heater on during humidification events and turning it off when humidity is sufficient, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective humidity control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters dynamically by adjusting heating power and duration based on ambient conditions. The controller modulates heating intensity according to the degree of humidity deficiency, applying higher power when needed and lower power when only minor adjustments are required, optimizing the balance between humidity control and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution maintains efficient fluid ejection by maintaining humidity levels, extending the operational time of fluidic ejection heads by preventing volatiles evaporation and nozzle drying, even during periods of inactivity.

Implementation Method 1

using a humidification substrate and heating device to evaporate the humidification fluid as needed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

using a humidification substrate and heating device to evaporate the humidification fluid as needed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9956783B2Local humidification for fluidic dispensing devices

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 BRADY WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

A fluidic dispensing device includes a first fluid supply containing a primary fluid and a second fluid supply containing a humidification fluid. A plurality of primary nozzles in fluid communication with the first fluid supply eject the primary fluid and a plurality of humidification nozzles in fluid communication with the second fluid supply eject the humidification fluid for controlling a humidity of an environment adjacent the plurality of primary nozzles.