Printing Liquid Concentration via Phase Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for concentrating printing liquids in electro-photography devices are inefficient, leading to high shipping costs, environmental impact, and waste production due to low non-volatile solid concentrations and unstable concentration processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a conveyor and developer units that apply mechanical and electrical forces to concentrate printing liquids, separating liquid carriers from non-volatile solids, and reusing the liquid carrier with reduced non-volatile solid concentrations, achieving higher concentrations and throughputs while minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If printing liquid is shipped at low non-volatile solid concentration, then shipping costs and environmental impact increase, but concentrating the printing liquid using existing methods is inefficient and produces waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the printing liquid by controlling temperature and pressure during the concentration process. The liquid is heated to a temperature below the melting point of the solid particles but above the freezing point of the liquid carrier, causing the liquid carrier to freeze while the solid particles remain in liquid form. This parameter change enables efficient separation and concentration of the printing liquid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the liquid carrier from liquid to solid state through controlled freezing. The liquid carrier is frozen at a temperature below its freezing point while maintaining the solid particles in liquid suspension. This phase transition allows for easy separation of the frozen liquid carrier from the concentrated solid particles, achieving efficient concentration without waste.
2Productivity
If printing liquid is concentrated to higher non-volatile solid concentrations, then shipping costs and environmental impact decrease, but existing concentration methods are unstable and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs precise control of temperature and pressure parameters throughout the concentration process. The system maintains the liquid carrier at a temperature below its freezing point but above the melting point of solid particles, and controls pressure to prevent premature freezing. This parameter control ensures stable and reproducible concentration results with high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces inefficient mechanical concentration methods with a thermodynamically-based freezing process. Instead of using mechanical means that are unstable and waste-producing, the system uses controlled phase transition of the liquid carrier, which provides stable and efficient concentration with minimal waste and high reproducibility.
3Loss of substance
If liquid carrier is discarded after use, then waste increases, but reusing liquid carrier requires removing non-volatile solids which is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition of the liquid carrier to simplify the separation process. By freezing the liquid carrier while keeping solid particles in liquid form, the system creates an easy physical separation interface. The frozen liquid carrier can be easily removed or reused, and the concentrated solid particles can be recovered without complex separation equipment or processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the liquid carrier from the printing liquid mixture by freezing it into a separate solid phase. This extraction allows for simple physical separation of the liquid carrier from the solid particles, enabling reuse of the liquid carrier without complex processing. The solid particles are left behind in concentrated form, ready for reuse or disposal.
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
The system achieves stable and uniform concentration of printing liquids with higher non-volatile solid concentrations, reducing shipping costs and environmental impact, and enabling the reuse of liquid carriers, thereby minimizing waste and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Electro-photography (EP) printing devices may form images on a print target by selectively charging or discharging a photoconductive member
Implementation Method 2
The photoconductor may transfer the printing liquid to an intermediate transfer member (ITM), which may include a transfer blanket, (a 'first transfer'), where it may be heated until a liquid carrier evaporates
Implementation Method 3
The ITM may transfer the resinous colorants to the surface of the print media (a 'second transfer'), which may be supported on a rotating impression member
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes concentrating first printing liquid on a conveyor. Concentrating the first printing liquid produces liquid carrier having a low non-volatile solid concentration. The method also includes concentrating the liquid carrier having the low non-volatile solid concentration on a developer roller. Concentrating the liquid carrier having the low non-volatile solid concentration produces liquid carrier substantially free of non-volatile solids. The method also includes delivering the liquid carrier substantially free of non-volatile solids to a storage vessel.