Printer Flushing Box Ink Viscosity Control via Cleaning Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink accumulation in the flushing box of inkjet printers can become viscous or solidify, leading to clogging of discharge ports and preventing ink discharge.
Innovation Solution
A printer design with a cleaning fluid vessel and flushing box connected via communicating portions, allowing cleaning fluid to flow into the flushing box to assist in discharging accumulated ink, reducing viscosity and solidification risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flushing box stores discharged ink without cleaning fluid intervention, then the structure remains simple, but the ink becomes viscous or solidifies causing discharge port clogging
Solution Approach 1:
A communicating portion is provided between the cleaning fluid vessel and the flushing box, allowing cleaning fluid to flow into the flushing box as an intermediary substance. This cleaning fluid prevents the discharged ink from becoming viscous or solidifying by mixing with it, thereby maintaining discharge port patency without requiring complex mechanical agitation or heating systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles by employing fluid flow from the cleaning fluid vessel through the communicating portion into the flushing box. The cleaning fluid flows hydraulically to assist in moving and preventing solidification of the discharged ink, using fluid dynamics rather than mechanical means to maintain ink discharge capability
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is continuously supplied to the flushing box, then ink fluidity is maintained, but cleaning fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than continuously supplying large amounts of cleaning fluid, the system provides partial action by allowing cleaning fluid to flow through the communicating portion only when needed to maintain ink fluidity. The cleaning fluid vessel stores cleaning fluid that flows into the flushing box in controlled amounts, sufficient to prevent solidification without excessive consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid is pre-stored in the cleaning fluid vessel before being needed. This preliminary preparation allows the cleaning fluid to be readily available to flow into the flushing box through the communicating portion when ink discharge issues arise, preventing solidification before it occurs rather than requiring intensive remediation afterward
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 assists in discharging ink from the flushing box, preventing clogging and ensuring continuous printer operation by maintaining ink fluidity.
Implementation Method 1
a first peripheral wall and a first bottom wall defining a storage space configured to store cleaning fluid inflowing from the inflow port
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes: a discharge portion discharging ink; a cleaning fluid vessel including an inflow port, and a first peripheral wall and a first bottom wall extending in a first direction orthogonal to an up-down direction, or in a second direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the first direction and defining a storage space for storing a cleaning fluid flowing in from the inflow port; a flushing box, connected to the cleaning fluid vessel in one of the first direction, for receiving the ink discharged from the discharge portion; and a first communicating portion causing the cleaning fluid vessel and the flushing box to be communicated.