Printing Fluid Pressure Determination via Dynamic Reference Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face issues such as printhead drooling, air ingestion, and image quality defects due to unstable printing fluid pressure, which can lead to excessive wear and fatigue in the fluid delivery system.
Innovation Solution
A printing fluid delivery system that includes a differential pressure sensor to measure the pressure difference between the printing fluid pressure and a reference pressure, with a control mechanism to adjust the reference pressure and maintain the sensor within an unsaturated range, allowing for accurate determination of the printing fluid pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a differential pressure sensor is used to measure printing fluid pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor may saturate when pressure difference exceeds its range, causing loss of information
Solution Approach 1:
The reference pressure is dynamically adjusted based on the measured printing fluid pressure to maintain the pressure difference within the sensor's measurement range. The control mechanism modifies the reference pressure in real-time, transforming a static measurement system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying pressure conditions, preventing sensor saturation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control loop is implemented where the differential pressure sensor continuously measures the pressure difference, the control mechanism receives this measurement, determines whether the sensor is saturated, and adjusts the reference pressure accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the sensor operates within its optimal measurement range, preventing information loss while maintaining high measurement precision.
2Reliability
If printing fluid pressure is not maintained within acceptable levels, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to printhead drooling, air ingestion, and image quality defects
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by automatically monitoring its own printing fluid pressure and adjusting the reference pressure to maintain optimal operating conditions. The control mechanism detects sensor saturation and autonomously modifies the reference pressure, enabling the system to self-regulate without external intervention, thereby maintaining reliability while managing complexity through automated self-service functionality.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor operates in saturated state, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is lost as the sensor cannot distinguish pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism proactively adjusts the reference pressure before the sensor becomes saturated by continuously monitoring the pressure difference and making preemptive adjustments. This preliminary action prevents the sensor from entering the saturated state where measurement precision is lost, maintaining accurate pressure measurements while managing system complexity through advance control rather than reactive correction.
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 solution ensures consistent and reliable printing fluid pressure measurements, preventing issues like printhead drooling and air ingestion, while reducing wear and fatigue on the fluid delivery system components.
Implementation Method 1
a differential pressure sensor to measure a pressure difference between a printing fluid pressure and a reference pressure
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example, a method to determine a printing fluid pressure in a printing fluid delivery system comprises: determining that a pressure difference measured by a fluid pressure sensor of the printing fluid delivery system is outside a dynamic range of the pressure sensor, controlling a fluid supply system of the printing fluid delivery system to increase a fluid pressure to an augmented fluid pressure in which the pressure difference is within the dynamic range of the pressure sensor, determining a fluid pressure value on the fluid pressure sensor, and calculating the printing fluid pressure as a function of the pressure difference and the augmented fluid pressure.