Modular Ink Circuit Assemblies for CIJ Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous inkjet printers face challenges in minimizing component numbers while ensuring flexibility, reliability, and ease of maintenance, particularly in replacing parts like valves without causing ink or solvent spills, and require efficient cleaning processes for recycling and waste management.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of removable single-block assemblies with securing means for easy mounting and dismounting, and a cleaning method using gas and solvent circulation to flush and dry the ink circuit, reducing spillage risks and enabling efficient recycling and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ink circuit components are used with fixed architecture, then reliability is maintained, but flexibility and ease of maintenance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ink circuit is divided into modular single-block assemblies, each containing a specific fluid component (pump, filter, valve, etc.). These modules can be independently removed and replaced, providing flexibility while maintaining a manageable component count through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-block assemblies are designed with universal mounting interfaces and securing means that can accommodate different fluid components. This allows the same modular structure to serve multiple functions with different components, increasing flexibility without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
2Ease of repair
If components are easily removable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but risk of ink spillage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cleaning method is performed before removing components to flush and dry the ink circuit. This preliminary action removes residual ink from the circuit and component surfaces, significantly reducing spillage risk during subsequent maintenance operations while maintaining ease of component removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful factor (residual ink) is extracted from the circuit before component removal. The cleaning process extracts ink from the hydraulic conduits and component surfaces, eliminating the source of potential spillage while preserving the ease of maintenance benefit of removable components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning process is implemented before component removal, then spillage is minimized, but time and complexity of maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system uses the printer's own circulation pumps and hydraulic circuit to perform the cleaning operation. By utilizing existing system components rather than external cleaning equipment, the process reduces spillage without adding significant time or complexity to the maintenance procedure.
4Ease of operation
If modular single-block assemblies are used, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid handling functions (pumping, filtering, valving) are merged into integrated single-block assemblies. Each module combines several components into one replaceable unit, simplifying maintenance operations while the internal structure manages the complexity of multiple components working together.
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 allows for flexible and reliable ink circuit architecture with reduced component count, easy maintenance, and minimized spillage during part replacement and cleaning, facilitating efficient recycling and waste management.
Implementation Method 1
a gas circulation means arranged to circulate a gas through said ink circuit or through said at least one removable single-block assembly
Implementation Method 2
a solvent circulation means arranged to circulate a solvent through said ink circuit or through said at least one removable single-block assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous inkjet printer includes an ink circuit. A first part of the ink circuit includes hydraulic components for providing a print head of the CIJ printer with ink and solvent. A second part of the ink circuit includes a first single-block assembly including at least part of at least a first pump and a second single-block assembly including at least one filter. Each of the assemblies further includes: a housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet; fluid connections to allow fluids to flow from the at least one fluid inlet, to the at least part of a first pump or said filter and then to the at least one fluid outlet; and a structure for mounting and disassembling the first single-block assembly and the second single-block assembly to and from the first part of the ink circuit, independently from each other.