Passive Condensate Separator for Liquid Electrophotographic Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer systems face complexity and high costs in separating and recycling ink vapors, which can lead to reduced print quality due to the complexity of mechanisms required for condensate separation and reuse.

Innovation Solution

A liquid electrophotographic printer system that passively separates condensed ink vapors into ink carrier oil and water using specifically configured chambers based on specific gravities, allowing for the reuse of recycled ink carrier oil while maintaining print quality, without the need for pumps, sensors, or complex controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If complex mechanisms are used for condensate separation and reuse, then ink vapor recycling is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink vapor recyclingVSAvoidseparation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator divides the condensate separation process into distinct functional zones: an upper ink carrier oil chamber and a lower water chamber. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific separation tasks independently, achieving effective separation without requiring complex multi-stage mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical separation systems (pumps, valves, sensors) with a passive gravitational separation system. The separator relies on density differences between ink carrier oil and water, allowing natural stratification and separation without active mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of substance

If complex mechanisms are used for condensate separation, then ink vapor recycling is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink vapor recyclingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be manufactured using basic materials and processes. The design accepts that the separator may require replacement over time rather than investing in expensive, complex mechanisms that would need minimal maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By eliminating the need for pumps, sensors, and complex control systems, the invention dramatically reduces manufacturing costs. The passive gravitational separation system requires only simple chamber construction, avoiding expensive mechanical and electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of substance

If recycled condensate is reused, then resource efficiency improves, but print quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensate reuse efficiencyVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The separator extracts and removes water from the condensed ink vapor, isolating only the reusable ink carrier oil. This extraction process ensures that recycled material is pure and free from water contamination, maintaining print quality while maximizing resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The separator ensures that different regions of the condensate receive different treatments: the ink carrier oil layer is collected for reuse, while the water layer is discarded. This local quality approach allows selective recycling of only the beneficial components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system reduces complexity and cost by passively separating condensate into ink carrier oil and water, enabling the reuse of recycled ink carrier oil while maintaining print quality, thus extending printer performance and reducing additive buildup.

Implementation Method 1

separates the condensate into an ink carrier oil and water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity-based separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

condenses ink vapors produced during printing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS7801465B2Condensate separation

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An ink carrier oil and water are separated from condensate. One embodiment includes first and second chambers for the separation. The first chamber receives the condensate and has an upper discharge outlet and a lower discharge outlet. The second chamber has an inlet connected to the lower outlet and a second chamber outlet below the upper discharge outlet such that separated carrier oil is discharged through the upper outlet. Separated water is discharged through the second chamber outlet. An interface between the separated carrier oil and water extends between the upper discharge outlet and the lower discharge outlet. In another embodiment, the carrier oil includes at least one of a high molecular weight oil, a lubricating oil and a defoamer. An additive having a lower concentration of the at least one of the high molecular weight oil, the lubricating oil and the defoamer is added to the carrier oil.