Print Head Priming via Vent Closure and Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern inks with increased solid content, such as latex and wax, cause clogging issues in print heads, making priming difficult due to settling and viscosity changes, and existing priming technologies are inefficient in clearing blockages and wasting ink.
Innovation Solution
A priming system with a vent closure section and pressure relief valve that rapidly increases pressure in the ink chamber by controlling the vent closure and pump operation, allowing for more efficient ink ejection and reduced ink wastage, including a method where the vent closure section is closed before pump operation to enhance pressure increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing priming technologies are used to clear blockages, then some nozzle recovery is achieved, but ink wastage is excessive and priming efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The vent closure section is closed before pump operation begins, preparing the system in advance to contain and build pressure efficiently. This preliminary action prevents pressure loss and ensures that when priming occurs, the pressure is concentrated effectively to clear blockages with minimal ink wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve provides feedback control by automatically opening when a predetermined pressure threshold is reached during priming. This prevents excessive pressure buildup that would cause ink wastage, while still achieving sufficient pressure to clear blockages. The valve closes automatically when pressure drops, maintaining optimal conditions for nozzle recovery.
2Productivity
If pressure is increased rapidly in the ink chamber, then priming efficiency improves and ink wastage reduces, but system complexity increases due to vent closure control
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve is designed to operate automatically based on pressure conditions without requiring external control signals. It opens when pressure reaches the predetermined threshold and closes when pressure drops, providing self-regulating feedback control. This eliminates the need for complex electronic pressure monitoring and control systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving rapid, efficient priming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic control through the vent closure section to rapidly build pressure in the ink chamber during priming. By controlling the vent closure, the system leverages pressure differentials to achieve fast priming action. The pressure relief valve then provides hydraulic feedback to prevent excessive pressure, combining pneumatic actuation with hydraulic regulation for efficient priming without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If modern inks with increased solid content are used, then ink quality and durability improve, but clogging issues increase making priming more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically during priming by rapidly increasing pressure through vent closure and then releasing it through the pressure relief valve. This controlled pressure variation helps dislodge clogages caused by settled ink solids and wax, enabling effective priming of modern inks with increased solid content while maintaining their quality and durability benefits.
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 achieves faster and more effective priming with higher pressures, reducing ink wastage and improving nozzle recovery, especially with modern inks, while maintaining compatibility with existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pump 220 arranged to provide pressurized gas to the print head 100
Implementation Method 2
provide pressurized gas to the print head
Implementation Method 3
a vent closure section 210 arranged to close the vent hole 140 of the print head
Implementation Method 4
a pressure relief valve 230 arranged to open when a pressure in the print head reaches or exceeds a predetermined value
Data Source
AI summary
A print head priming system comprises a vent closure section to close a vent, where the vent is to compensate backpressure in a print head. An inlet to receive pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas is to provide the pressurized gas to the print head. A pressure relief valve is to open in response to pressure in the print head reaching or exceeding a predetermined value by the provision of gas to the print head by the source of pressurized gas.