One-piece fluid component for continuous inkjet printer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous inkjet printers (CIJ) face challenges with the assembly and maintenance of their ink circuit components, which are often multi-part and prone to leaks due to complex sealing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece fluid component made of chemically resistant material, featuring a duct with specific roughness levels and fluid connection areas, designed for easy assembly and maintenance within the CIJ printer's ink circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-part components with sealing means are used, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to leak risks at interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components into a single monoblock component manufactured by additive manufacturing. This eliminates the interfaces between parts where leaks typically occur, while the integrated design maintains all necessary functional connections through internally formed ducts and channels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-part components are assembled, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple parts that would traditionally require assembly into a single monoblock structure. Additive manufacturing enables this merging while maintaining complex internal geometries, ducts, and connection points that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional manufacturing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing parameters to achieve complex geometries and internal structures that cannot be obtained through traditional machining or assembly processes. This manufacturing method enables the creation of integrated components with optimized flow paths and connection points.
3Loss of energy
If smooth surfaces are used, then fluid flow is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additive manufacturing process parameters are optimized to achieve the desired surface roughness range (Ra 0.4-3 μm) directly during fabrication. This eliminates the need for additional post-processing while ensuring efficient fluid flow through the internal ducts and channels.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~3
AI summary
The invention concerns a fluid component (20) for a continuous inkjet printer, comprising: at least two ducts (22, 24, 26, 28, 30), each duct having an inner surface and each duct extending between a first end and a second end, at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, and at least one fluid connection area (38, 40, 42) comprising at least one of said at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, said fluid component being a one-piece fluid component made of a material chemically resistant to at least one organic solvent, wherein at least part of said fluid connection area has a roughness (Ra) of less than 5 µm and at least part of the inner surface of at least one duct has a roughness (Ra) of less than 10 µm.