Printer Particle Diverter Airflow System

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Solution Overview

Problem

The routing of print media through a printer generates airborne particles that can cause print defects and printer malfunctions by settling on components, particularly the printheads, leading to clogged nozzles and reduced functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a particle diverter system with airflow sources, such as fans, and strategically designed openings in the platen to divert airborne particles away from the print zone, preventing them from settling on printer components like printheads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If print media is routed through the printer, then printing functionality is enabled, but airborne particles are generated that cause print defects and printer malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionalityVSAvoidairborne particles causing print defects

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts harmful airborne particles from the printing environment by introducing a airflow source that generates a flow field to remove particles from the print zone, separating the harmful particles from the printing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary substance between the print media transport and the printhead, using the air flow to carry away airborne particles and prevent them from settling on the printhead and print media

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If print media transport routes media through the printer, then printing is enabled, but particles settle on printheads causing clogged nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operationVSAvoidnozzle functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing an air flow field before particles can settle on the printhead, creating a protective flow that prevents particle deposition in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful airborne particles into a beneficial effect by using the air flow to carry particles away from the printhead, transforming the particle transport from a harmful settling process to a beneficial removal process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Effectively prevents airborne particles from accumulating on printer components, reducing the likelihood of print defects and malfunctions by maintaining nozzle integrity and ensuring continuous printing performance.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a particle diverter system with airflow sources, such as fans, and strategically designed openings in the platen to divert airborne particles away from the print zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10046567B2Printer with particle diverting

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A printer includes a print media transport to transport a print media through a print zone, the transport of the print media to produce airborne particles, and a particle diverter to divert the airborne particles away from the print zone from a vicinity of the print media transport.