Printer Pressure Device With Contactless Data Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing devices face challenges with complex and costly pressure modules in inkjet systems, leading to manufacturing and operational inefficiencies due to oxidation, contamination, and precise mechanical alignment issues, which result in communication failures and increased downtime.

Innovation Solution

A pressure device with a base body having passages connecting channels on both sides, allowing for a cost-effective and service-friendly setup with a predefined line system that reduces errors and eliminates the need for elastic hoses, featuring a reversible cover and flexible sealing elements to maintain constant pressure and improve print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical contacts are used for data exchange between reservoir and printing device, then data communication is enabled, but contact surfaces are vulnerable to oxidation and contamination leading to communication failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidoxidation and contamination of contact surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical electrical contact system with a contactless communication system using electromagnetic fields. The reservoir contains a data module with transmitting/receiving units that communicate wirelessly with the printing device, eliminating physical contact surfaces that are susceptible to oxidation and contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If precise mechanical alignment is required for contact surfaces, then electrical contacts can be established, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact establishment reliabilityVSAvoidreceiving device precision requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contactless communication system eliminates the need for precise mechanical alignment of contact surfaces. The electromagnetic field-based data transmission does not require physical contact, thereby removing the complexity of designing and manufacturing precision alignment features in the receiving device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If contact surfaces are pressed together with sufficient force, then electrical contacts are established, but wear and tear increase over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact stabilityVSAvoidcontact surface service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical contact system with a contactless electromagnetic communication system, the patent eliminates wear and tear on contact surfaces. The transmitting and receiving units communicate through electromagnetic fields without physical contact, thereby extending the service life of the data communication system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If aggressive inks and solvents are used for industrial applications, then printing versatility is improved, but cleaning effort for contaminated contacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindustrial printing capabilityVSAvoidcontact maintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The contactless communication system eliminates physical contact surfaces that would be contaminated by aggressive industrial inks and solvents. Since there are no contact surfaces to clean, the maintenance effort is significantly reduced while maintaining full versatility for industrial printing applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2814674B1Printer
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 KBA METRONIC GMBH
  • EP2814674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2814674B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9
  • EP2814674B1 patent drawingFigure 10~12

AI summary

The invention relates to a printing device (21), which comprises a conduit system (27) and a main part (32) that has a first (33) and a second(44) main face, the main part having at least two passages (37) which connect each channel to the second main face. An ink reservoir (01) and/or solvent reservoir and/or ink jet printing head and/or coupling element on the second main face (44) of the one main part is connected to one of the passages (37) of the channel. The first main face (33) of the main part has at least two channels which define at least one conduit of the conduit system limited on the one side by the main part (33) and on the other side by a cover (36) and/or a sealing element (39). At least one further component of the conduit system is arranged on the second main face (44) of the main part, said further component being arranged such that it is at the same time connected to at least two passages (37) that are associated with, in each case, different channels of the at least two channels.