Modular Ink Delivery System for Large Format Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
As display devices become larger, the size of inkjet printers also increases, leading to a higher number of head packs, which complicates the ink delivery system and requires a more efficient and modular design.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet printer incorporates a modular ink delivery system with interconnectable modules, each featuring a body with pipes penetrating in one direction and separated in another, along with supply and recovery flow paths and flow controllers, allowing for easy addition or removal of modules based on the number of head packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of head packs is increased to manufacture larger display devices, then the production capability is improved, but the device complexity and ink delivery system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ink delivery system is divided into multiple independent modules, each capable of serving one or more head packs. Each module includes its own ink supply flow path, recovery flow path, and flow controller. This segmentation allows the system to scale by adding or removing modules rather than redesigning the entire ink delivery system, thus maintaining manageability while supporting larger display device production.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink delivery system is designed to be dynamically configurable, where modules can be added or removed based on the number of head packs required. The system adapts its complexity to match the production needs, allowing flexible scaling from smaller to larger display device manufacturing without permanently increasing system complexity.
2Productivity
If more head packs are added to increase production capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the flow control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control function is segmented and distributed to individual flow controllers, with each controller managing a specific module's ink supply and recovery. This distributed control architecture prevents a single point of complexity from managing all head packs, allowing each controller to independently regulate ink flow to its associated head pack(s) without interference, thus scaling flow control capability with production capacity.
3Productivity
If the ink delivery system is expanded to support more head packs, then the production capability is improved, but the risk of pressure drops and liquid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ink delivery system into independent modules with separate supply and recovery flow paths, the patent isolates potential pressure issues and leakage risks to individual modules rather than affecting the entire system. Each module's flow controller independently manages ink flow, preventing cascading failures and maintaining overall system reliability as the system scales to support more head packs.
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 modular design enhances the flexibility and efficiency of the ink delivery system, ensuring consistent ink flow and temperature control, while preventing pressure drops and liquid leakage, thus supporting the production of larger display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a flow controller connected to the first supply flow path between a pipe of the plurality of pipes and the ink ejection module
Implementation Method 2
a first heater penetrating the body and disposed between the first pipe and the second pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer includes an ink ejection module including head packs including heads that eject an ink, an ink storage module that stores the ink, and modules that receive the ink from the ink storage module and deliver the ink to each of the head packs. Each of the modules includes a body having a structure that is interconnectable in a first direction and including first and second surfaces facing each other in the first direction, pipes penetrating the body in the first direction and separated from each other in a second direction crossing the first direction, a first supply flow path and a first recovery flow path disposed between at least one of the pipes and the ink ejection module and separated from each other, and a flow controller connected to the first supply flow path between a pipe of the pipes and the ink ejection module.