Particulate Delivery Container Baffle Aeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing devices face challenges in efficiently transferring print materials like ink and toner from a supply container to a printing medium, leading to reduced volume and operational issues due to particulate compression and trapping.
Innovation Solution
A particulate delivery container with a baffle that compresses to force air through an air valve, aerating the print material below the particulate level, reducing physical interactions and maximizing transfer volume by minimizing trapped particulates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If print material is stored in a container, then the printing device can operate continuously, but particulate compression and trapping occur leading to reduced transfer volume
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments: an upper storage compartment and a lower transfer compartment. This segmentation allows the print material to be stored separately from the transfer mechanism, preventing compression and trapping during storage while enabling efficient transfer when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the storage container and the printing device supply. This intermediary component facilitates the transfer of print material without direct compression, using mechanisms such as vibration or air pressure to move particles efficiently.
2Productivity
If print material is transferred from container to supply, then refilling efficiency increases, but particulate trapping reduces transfer effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism utilizes mechanical vibration to agitate the print material in the lower compartment, preventing particles from settling and trapping. This vibration ensures complete and reliable transfer of all particulate material to the supply container.
Solution Approach 2:
Air pressure or pneumatic mechanisms are used to facilitate the transfer of print material from the container to the supply. This pneumatic approach lifts and moves particles without mechanical compression, maintaining transfer reliability while improving refilling efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If the container structure is simplified, then manufacturing cost decreases, but particulate compression increases reducing transfer volume
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into storage and transfer compartments, which can be manufactured as separate modules and then assembled. This segmentation prevents particulate compression while keeping each individual component simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the container have different structural qualities optimized for their specific functions. The storage compartment has a simple structure for cost-effectiveness, while the transfer compartment includes specialized features (such as vibration mechanisms or pneumatic channels) to prevent compression and maximize transfer volume.
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 solution effectively increases the volume of print material transferred from the container to the printing device, ensuring continuous operation by reducing particulate compression and trapping, thereby enhancing refilling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a baffle that when compressed may force air through an air valve
Implementation Method 2
direct the air below the level of the particulates of print material to aerate the particulates of print material
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to an apparatus for particulate delivery consistent with the disclosure. For instance, the apparatus may comprise a particulate reservoir container, an orifice positioned at an output portion of the particulate reservoir container, and a baffle that when compressed forces air through an air valve to direct the air below a level of particulates of print material to aerate the particulates of print material.