Print Head Cooling Duct Flat Wall Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print head assemblies face inefficiencies in cooling systems, leading to increased pressure loss, noise, and potential aberrations in ink droplet positioning due to complex and open cooling duct arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A compact and efficient cooling system is achieved by using an elongated closed hollow cooling duct with the print head unit attached to its flat wall, allowing for smooth airflow and reduced pressure loss, while minimizing noise and aberrations by directing the cooling medium closely past the print head unit for enhanced heat transfer and using a blower mounted on a reciprocating carriage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the print head unit is disposed inside the cooling duct or at an open end of the cooling duct, then the cooling medium can be guided through the duct, but the pressure loss increases and the capacity, size and power consumption of the blower increase
Solution Approach 1:
The print head unit is extracted from the interior of the cooling duct and mounted on the external flat wall. This extraction eliminates the obstruction caused by the print head inside the duct, allowing smooth airflow and reduced pressure loss while maintaining cooling efficiency through thermal contact with the flat wall.
2Temperature
If the print head unit is disposed inside the cooling duct, then cooling can be achieved, but the capacity, size and power consumption of the blower increase
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the print head unit from the cooling duct interior and mounting it on the external flat wall, the airflow path is cleared of obstructions. This reduces the workload on the blower, decreasing its required capacity and power consumption while maintaining effective cooling through thermal contact.
3Temperature
If the print head unit is disposed inside the cooling duct, then cooling can be achieved, but the noise generated by the current of the cooling medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The print head unit is removed from the cooling duct interior and mounted on the external flat wall. This extraction eliminates turbulence and noise-generating obstructions within the duct, allowing smooth laminar airflow and significantly reducing the noise produced by the cooling medium.
4Temperature
If an open cooling duct arrangement is used, then cooling can be achieved, but airflow may cause aberration of ink droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The print head unit is extracted from the cooling duct interior and mounted on the external flat wall. This configuration allows the closed cooling duct to enclose the airflow path, preventing ambient air currents from disturbing the ink droplets while the print head remains outside the duct, ensuring precise droplet positioning.
5Temperature
If a complex arrangement of cooling duct and print head unit is used, then cooling can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling duct's flat wall serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal contact surface for cooling the print head unit, a mounting structure for attaching the print head unit externally, and part of the support structure for mounting in the frame or reciprocating carriage. This merging of functions simplifies the overall device complexity.
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 configuration reduces the size, power consumption, and noise of the blower, enhances heat transfer efficiency, and minimizes airflow impact on sensitive print head components, improving overall cooling performance and accuracy in high-performance printers.
Implementation Method 1
The print head unit is cooled by the gaseous cooling medium passing through the cooling duct via thermal contact through the flat wall of the cooling duct
Implementation Method 2
a blower arranged to pass a gaseous cooling medium through the cooling duct
Data Source
AI summary
A print head assembly including a print head unit, a cooling duct, and a blower arranged to pass a gaseous cooling medium through the cooling duct. The cooling duct has an elongated closed hollow cross-section bounded on at least one side by a flat wall. The print head unit is attached to the flat wall outside of the cooling duct such that the print head unit is cooled by the gaseous medium passing through the cooling duct via thermal contact through the flat wall of the cooling duct.