Printer Printhead Cartridge Fluid Coupling Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed pagewidth inkjet printers require large ink supply flow rates, making traditional needle valve systems inadequate due to high engagement forces needed for fluid coupling, which can stress the printhead cartridge and complicate user installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a printhead cartridge with a fluid coupling system that uses a latch mechanism with mechanical advantage to establish a sealed fluid connection without zero insertion force, utilizing a lever system to compress an annular seal for fluid sealing, reducing the force required for engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional needle valve systems are used for fluid coupling, then fluid sealing is achieved, but engagement force becomes excessively high due to narrow internal diameter requirements for high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid coupling system is segmented into multiple separate coupling conduits (first coupling conduit, second coupling conduit, third coupling conduit) that can be engaged independently or in sequence. This segmentation allows the total flow rate requirement to be distributed across multiple smaller conduits, reducing the engagement force needed for each individual conduit while maintaining the required total ink supply flow rate to the pagewidth printhead.
2Ease of operation
If large conduits are used to reduce engagement force, then fluid coupling becomes easier, but the resilient element size and deformation force increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is designed with a bridge configuration that spans across multiple coupling conduits rather than being confined to a single conduit. This dimensional change allows the resilient element to distribute its deformation across multiple points and leverage the mechanical advantage of the latch mechanism more effectively, reducing the force required for engagement while maintaining adequate sealing across all conduits.
3Reliability
If multiple separate couplings are used for full color printheads, then fluid sealing is improved, but total coupling force requirement multiplies
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate coupling conduits are merged into a single integrated resilient element structure that spans across all conduits. This unified resilient element is actuated by a single latch mechanism, allowing all couplings to be engaged simultaneously with a single user action. The mechanical advantage provided by the latch mechanism is distributed across all coupling points, reducing the total force requirement compared to multiple independent coupling mechanisms.
4Reliability
If high engagement force is applied to the cartridge, then fluid coupling is secured, but cartridge structural integrity is compromised due to flexing and bowing
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element acts as an intermediary between the latch mechanism and the coupling conduits. It provides a compliant interface that can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and misalignments while distributing the engagement forces evenly across all coupling points. This intermediary function prevents concentrated high forces from being transmitted directly to the cartridge body, thereby protecting structural integrity while maintaining secure fluid coupling.
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 design allows for easy and stress-free installation and removal of the printhead cartridge, maintaining print quality and user convenience while avoiding damage to the cartridge structure.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid seal is provided by a resilient element that is deformed during engagement
Implementation Method 2
the fluid coupling and the complementary coupling are configured to establish a sealed fluid connection using mechanical advantage provided by user actuation of the latch mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer that has a printhead cartridge with a pagewidth printhead defining an array of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a media substrate. The printhead cartridge has a fluid coupling in fluid communication with the array of nozzles. The printer also has a cradle for supporting the printhead cartridge such that the array of nozzles is adjacent a media feed path extending through the printer, the cradle having a latch mechanism for retaining the printhead cartridge, an ink reservoir for containing supply of ink and a complementary coupling for fluid communication with the ink reservoir. The fluid coupling and the complementary coupling are configured to establish a sealed fluid connection using mechanical advantage provided by user actuation of the latch mechanism to retain the printhead cartridge in the cradle.