Marking Tip Saddle Contour Reduces Swab Smearing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marking device tips, particularly those with sintered or fiber materials, cause significant smearing on ink jet base swabs due to abrasion when used on various media, leading to unsatisfactory marking results, especially on sensitive surfaces or when copies appear as gray to dark gray bars.
Innovation Solution
A marking tip with a concave or curved saddle contour design minimizes mechanical stress on the base swab, reducing abrasiveness by allowing the tip to glide over the surface with minimal contact pressure, and features a recessed area between raised saddle points to form an ink meniscus for reduced smudging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tips (sintered or fiber) are used for marking, then the tip can apply marking liquid to the medium, but the tip causes significant smearing of the base swab on the medium due to abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The marking edge of the tip is designed with a concave contour featuring two rounded raised points instead of straight or sharp edges. This curvature allows the tip to glide over the base swab with minimal mechanical stress, reducing abrasion and smearing while maintaining marking capability through capillary action at the raised points.
2Manufacturing precision
If contact pressure of the tip on the medium is increased during sweeping, then marking intensity is improved, but the smearing effect is enhanced due to increased abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The concave marking edge creates localized contact points at the two raised points while the central recessed area maintains no contact with the medium. This local quality distribution allows pressure to be concentrated at the raised points for effective marking while the recessed area prevents smearing by avoiding contact with the base swab.
3Ease of operation
If sintered tips are used, then smoother surface structure and softer marking feel are achieved, but gray to dark gray bars appear on copies when base swab is sensitive
Solution Approach 1:
The concave contour with rounded raised points reduces the contact area and mechanical stress on the base swab, preventing the smearing that causes gray bars on copies. The curved geometry maintains smooth gliding while minimizing abrasion, solving the copy quality issue without sacrificing user comfort.
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 design significantly reduces smearing and maintains good gliding properties, ensuring clear and distinct markings even under increased contact pressure, with minimal contact points outside the printed text area, effectively addressing the smudging issues across different media types.
Implementation Method 1
an ink meniscus is formed between the saddle points of the tip resting on the medium and between the concave contour and the medium
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a tip for writing, drawing and/or marking devices, wherein the tip (1) has at least one marking edge (11), wherein the at least one marking edge (11) has at least one recessed area (13) and wherein the at least one recessed area (13) is formed between two raised points (12).