Printing Fluid Return Conduit Turbulent Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges in efficiently homogenizing printing fluid with high concentrations of solids, particularly when replacing printing fluid in reservoirs for high coverage print jobs, leading to potential reductions in print quality.
Innovation Solution
Injecting printing fluid from a cartridge into the return conduit of a printing fluid apparatus, where the high velocity and turbulent flow ensure effective homogenization of printing fluid with concentrations greater than 15% printing fluid solids, even at high flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing fluid with high concentration of solids is injected into the reservoir at high flow rate, then the productivity of fluid replacement is improved, but the homogenization quality deteriorates due to insufficient mixing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-mixing chamber where printing fluid is preliminarily homogenized before being injected into the reservoir. This preliminary action ensures that the fluid is sufficiently mixed before high-speed injection, resolving the contradiction between fast replacement and quality homogenization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a circulation pump as an intermediary device that continuously circulates printing fluid through the pre-mixing chamber and reservoir. This intermediary mechanism ensures continuous mixing and maintains homogenization quality even during high-speed fluid replacement operations
2Quantity of substance
If printing fluid with high concentration of solids is used, then the print coverage capability is improved, but the fluid flow characteristics deteriorate due to increased viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow regime parameter from laminar to turbulent flow by designing the injection system to create high-velocity jets. This parameter change allows high-concentration fluid to flow rapidly despite increased viscosity, as turbulent flow is less sensitive to viscosity effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by designing the injection system to leverage pressure differential and fluid momentum. The system uses pressure-driven injection to overcome the viscous resistance of high-concentration printing fluid, enabling rapid delivery without dilution
3Device complexity
If printing fluid is injected directly into the reservoir without pre-mixing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of fluid composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mixing function into two distinct stages: pre-mixing in a dedicated chamber and final mixing in the reservoir. This segmentation allows the complex mixing task to be distributed, with the pre-mixing chamber handling the difficult homogenization of high-concentration fluid before simpler final mixing occurs in the reservoir
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 method ensures sufficient homogenization of printing fluid in the reservoir, maintaining print quality for high coverage jobs by providing a consistent and adequate supply of printing fluid.
Implementation Method 1
the velocity and turbulent flow of printing fluid in the return conduit is, in these examples, sufficient to homogenise printing fluid with a high proportion of solids being injected at a high flow rate
Data Source
AI summary
An example printing fluid apparatus, for a printing system, comprises a printing fluid reservoir to store printing fluid for use in a print job and a printing fluid channel to route printing fluid from the reservoir to the reservoir and to route printing fluid from a printing station of the printing system to the reservoir. The fluid channel comprises a port to introduce printing fluid from a printing fluid cartridge into the fluid channel such that the introduced printing fluid from the printing fluid cartridge at least partially mixes with printing fluid in the fluid channel.