Printer Cartridge Multiple Backpressure Chambers Ink Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Page wide printing systems face challenges with increased head pressure, air generation, and uneven ink distribution, leading to stranded ink and inefficient printing due to the design of existing backpressure chambers in printer cartridges.

Innovation Solution

A printer cartridge design featuring multiple backpressure chambers in fluid communication with a shared free fluid chamber, which accommodates higher head pressures and ensures even fluid distribution by regulating flow between the chambers, reducing the likelihood of stranded ink and uneven printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single backpressure chamber is used in a page wide printer cartridge, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ink distribution becomes uneven and stranded ink occurs due to increased head pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackpressure chamber structureVSAvoidink distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single backpressure chamber is divided into multiple backpressure chambers (first, second, third chambers) that are distributed across the printhead assembly. Each chamber serves a specific region, ensuring uniform ink distribution and preventing stranded ink while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the printer cartridge width is increased to match page width, then the printing coverage is improved, but the head pressure increases causing ink to pool and air to be pushed into the ink supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting coverage areaVSAvoidhead pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The backpressure management is segmented into multiple chambers distributed across the wide printhead. This segmentation allows each region to independently manage its pressure, preventing the accumulation of excessive head pressure that would occur in a single-chamber design, thereby avoiding ink pooling and air intake while maintaining full page-width coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stress or pressure

If foam is used to generate backpressure, then the backpressure is regulated, but smaller pore size foam reduces flow rates and filters out color pigment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackpressure regulationVSAvoidfluid flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single block of small-pore foam that would restrict flow, the system uses multiple distributed backpressure chambers. This segmentation allows for larger effective flow paths while maintaining backpressure regulation, preventing the flow rate reduction and pigment filtration issues associated with small-pore foam while still providing necessary backpressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 manages head pressures, reduces air intake, and ensures consistent ink delivery across the print medium, preventing stranded ink and improving printing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Implementation Method 1

multiple backpressure chambers in fluid communication with a shared free fluid chamber, which accommodates higher head pressures and ensures even fluid distribution by regulating flow between the chambers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBackpressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3368326B1Printer cartridge with multiple backpressure chambers
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3368326B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3368326B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3368326B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure a printer cartridge is described. The printer cartridge includes multiple backpressure chambers in fluid communication with a shared free fluid chamber. The backpressure chambers are to supply a fluid to nozzles of a portion of a fluidic ejection assembly and to provide backpressure to the nozzles of the fluidic ejection assembly during deposition of fluid onto a print medium.