Modular Drop-on-Demand Inkjet Print Bar with Local Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing and maintaining inkjet printers with multiple print bars is time-consuming and expensive due to the complexity of central ink supply systems, especially when achieving high printing frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The print bar features locally controlled drop-on-demand inkjet print modules with integrated ink pressure control, degassing, heating, and buffering, along with a modular design and control circuitry, allowing for independent operation of each print head and facilitating scalable and efficient ink management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a central ink supply system is used for all print bars, then ink distribution to multiple print heads is achieved, but the design and maintenance complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized ink supply system into modular print bar units, where each print bar is a self-contained module with its own ink supply, control circuitry, and print heads. This segmentation allows independent replacement and maintenance of individual print bars without affecting the entire printing system, reducing design and maintenance complexity while still providing comprehensive ink supply coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If a central ink supply with intermediate tanks and long conducts is used, then ink can be distributed to all print heads, but achieving high printing frequencies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ink supply system into local units at each print bar, the patent eliminates the need for long conducts and intermediate tanks that limit response time. Each print bar has direct access to ink supply, enabling faster ink delivery and higher printing frequencies without the constraints of centralized distribution pathways.
3Reliability
If spare parts for central supply and all print bars are kept available, then system reliability is maintained, but storage requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular print bar design means that only one type of print bar module needs to be stored as spare parts, rather than maintaining inventory for multiple different print bar configurations and central supply components. This standardization reduces spare parts inventory volume while maintaining system reliability through rapid module replacement.
4Loss of time
If the entire print bar is replaced instead of individual print heads, then alignment and reconfiguration time is reduced, but the number of replacement operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the print bar as a modular unit that can be replaced as a complete assembly, which is itself a segmented component of the larger printing system. This modular segmentation allows the entire print bar to be quickly swapped out as a single unit, reducing readjustment time compared to individual head replacement, while the standardized module design keeps replacement operations manageable.
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 enables optimal printing performance at high frequencies, simplifies the design and maintenance of inkjet printers, and reduces the need for extensive spare parts and central control components, making it easier to scale up printer size and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Ink drop ejection can be controlled by pressurizing ink in the ink path with an actuator, for example, a piezoelectric deflector
Implementation Method 2
Ink drop ejection can be controlled by pressurizing ink in the ink path with an actuator, for example, a thermal bubble jet generator
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanging fluid circuit including ducts arranged within a support structure of the mounting assembly for supporting the inkjet print heads
Data Source
AI summary
A print bar comprises a mounting assembly and a plurality of drop-on-demand inkjet print modules mounted to the mounting assembly. The modules comprise conduits for continuously circulating ink. Each of the modules comprises a drop-on-demand inkjet print head and a local element for controlling the ink pressure, assigned to the print head. The print bar further comprises control circuitry assigned to the print heads of the modules for controlling the local elements for controlling the ink pressure and ink release by the print head. An optimum printing result at high frequency may be obtained from every print head as the ink delivered to the print head is locally brought to a desired pressure. A modular buildup is achieved, which means that new printers may be easily designed and built from a comparably small number of components to be held available. Maintenance is similarly facilitated. Scalability is excellent.