Pressure Retaining Device for Uniform Ink Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printer maintenance mechanisms result in increased printer size and production costs due to the need for large components like relief valves and pressure regulators, and the pressure applied to the printing head varies with ink cartridge ink levels, leading to inconsistent purging actions.
Innovation Solution
A pressure retaining device with a compressing unit across the communication passage between the ink supply tank and the nozzle, utilizing a pump to supply compressed air to the compressing unit, which compresses the ink, minimizing the charging volume and maintaining uniform purging pressure throughout ink consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional relief valves and pressure regulators are connected between the air pump and ink tank, then the compressed air flow can be controlled, but the printer size increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pressure regulator component from the system. Instead of using a pressure regulator to control compressed air flow, the patent uses a valve member that opens/closes to control air flow directly from the air pump to the ink tank, thereby reducing printer size while maintaining compressed air control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member serves multiple functions: it controls compressed air flow to the ink tank, replaces the pressure regulation function, and integrates the air pump control in a single component, reducing the need for separate pressure regulator and relief valve components
2Reliability
If pressure regulator is provided at the front side of ink cartridge, then compressed air flow can be controlled, but the pressure applied to printing head varies with ink remaining amount
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where the air pump is controlled based on the remaining ink amount in the ink tank. The controller adjusts the compressed air supply to maintain constant pressure on the printing head, compensating for changes in ink level and ensuring stable pressure throughout the ink cartridge's usage life
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static pressure regulation approach (fixed pressure regulator) to a dynamic control system where the air pump operation is adjusted in real-time based on ink remaining amount, ensuring consistent pressure delivery despite varying ink levels
3Device complexity
If orifice is provided in air supply conduit for discharging compressed air, then pressure control is simplified, but the charging volume increases and purging discharge becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the passive orifice-based pressure control mechanism with an active valve member controlled by an air pump. This allows precise control of compressed air flow to maintain uniform purging discharge, eliminating the non-uniform pressure delivery inherent in orifice-based systems while keeping the device relatively simple
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 reduces the overall size of the printer, eliminates the need for a switching mechanism, and ensures consistent purging action regardless of ink levels, maintaining uniform pressure on the printing head.
Implementation Method 1
a compressing unit provided across an intermediate of the communication passage for compressing the first fluid transferred from the supply tank to the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
a pump for supplying to the compressing unit a second fluid on which a pressure is loaded thereby
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure retaining device for retaining a pressure in a communication passage which are communicated between a supply tank for supplying a first fluid and a nozzle for ejecting the first fluid, comprises a compressing unit provided across an intermediate of the communication passage for compressing the first fluid transferred from the supply tank to the nozzle, and a pump for supplying to the compressing unit a second fluid on which a pressure is loaded thereby. In the construction above, the second fluid is supplied by the pump to the compressing unit to compress the first fluid in the compressing unit, and the first fluid in the nozzle is then compressed by a pressure loaded on the first fluid in the compressing unit.