Printer Ink Delivery System with Intermediate Buffer Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large format printers often experience ink depletion mid-print, especially in plotter-type configurations, leading to adverse print quality and potential reprints, despite high-capacity ink supplies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an ink delivery system with two intermediate ink tanks and a high volume supply, where one tank feeds the printhead while the other is refilled, using pressure sensors and control valves to manage ink flow and switching, ensuring continuous printing without the need for multiple ink supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high volume ink supplies are used, then ink capacity is increased, but ink depletion can still occur during printing passes
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is segmented into a high-volume ink supply and multiple intermediate ink tanks. The high-volume supply serves as the primary reservoir, while intermediate tanks act as buffers between the supply and printhead, ensuring continuous printing even during ink transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining intermediate ink tanks with sufficient ink reserves and proactively managing ink levels. When ink depletion is detected in one tank, the system has already prepared alternative sources through the high-volume supply and multiple tank configuration, preventing printing interruptions.
2Reliability
If intermediate ink tanks are used with switching mechanisms, then continuous printing is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Intermediate ink tanks serve as mediators between the high-volume ink supply and the printhead. These tanks buffer ink flow and provide transition points during ink depletion, simplifying the control logic compared to direct switching between multiple high-volume supplies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous ink flow to the printhead by ensuring at least one intermediate tank remains filled. The high-volume supply continuously replenishes intermediate tanks, eliminating idle periods and maintaining uninterrupted printing operation.
3Reliability
If proactive refilling is implemented, then ink depletion is prevented, but additional control mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that monitor ink levels in intermediate tanks. When ink levels fall below threshold values, the system automatically activates the high-volume supply to refill the intermediate tanks, maintaining reliable ink availability without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink delivery system performs self-service by automatically detecting ink depletion conditions and initiating refilling operations from the high-volume supply. The system manages its own ink levels without external intervention, reducing operational complexity despite the added control mechanisms.
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 system allows for uninterrupted printing by alternating between intermediate ink tanks and refilling them proactively, preventing ink depletion and reducing the need for frequent high volume ink supply replacements, while maintaining print quality and simplifying the design and manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurization system is provided to selectively pressurize the intermediate ink tank to thereby force ink flow toward the printhead.
Implementation Method 2
the ink buffer comprises two intermediate ink tanks. In such cases, one of the intermediate ink tanks is used to feed the printhead while the other intermediate ink tank is refilled by the high volume ink supply.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink delivery system for a printer. In one embodiment, the system includes an ink supply that contains ink to be delivered to a printhead of the printer and an ink buffer having a capacity that is smaller than a capacity of the ink supply, the ink buffer being configured to be repeatedly filled with ink from the ink supply and to deliver that ink to the printhead.