Printing Apparatus Recirculation Design for Turbulence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses suffer from turbulence and air bubble incorporation during print material transfer, leading to imperfections in printing quality and requiring bulky designs with unstable print material properties, which necessitate frequent conditioning.
Innovation Solution
A compact printing apparatus design where the first and second containers are positioned at the same height relative to the print head, utilizing a suction member to maintain constant pressure and prevent turbulence, ensuring continuous recirculation and stability of the print material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the first container is located in a super-elevated position with respect to the print head to facilitate flow by gravity, then the flow of print material is improved, but the apparatus becomes bulky and the print material becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first container and second container at substantially the same height, eliminating the height difference that causes bulky design. Pressure control mechanisms are used to compensate for the lack of gravitational flow, maintaining fluid movement without requiring vertical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pressure control devices to regulate the pressure of print material in both containers, enabling controlled flow without relying on gravitational potential energy from height differences. This hydraulic/pneumatic control allows compact horizontal arrangement of components.
2Quantity of substance
If the first container and second container are directly connected by a pipe with alternating pressure conditions, then the transfer of print material is achieved, but continuous recirculation cannot be generated and the system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous recirculation by having the first container and second container positioned at the same height with pressure control devices maintaining continuous pressure differential. This allows uninterrupted flow through the print head and back, eliminating the need for alternating pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure control devices serve multiple functions: they maintain pressure differential for continuous flow, prevent turbulence at the container outlets, and ensure stable recirculation. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system compared to complex alternating pressure control.
3Productivity
If turbulence is generated during transfer from accumulation tank to intermediate container, then the transfer process is rapid, but air bubbles are incorporated affecting printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the outlet of the first container such that the jet of print material does not directly impinge on the surface of the material in the container, preventing turbulence and air bubble incorporation. This preliminary prevention of harmful turbulence ensures high printing quality while maintaining transfer efficiency.
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 prevents air bubbles and turbulence, maintaining print material stability and quality, reducing the need for frequent conditioning and enhancing the overall printing process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The suction member is connected to the second container and is configured to generate at least a negative pressure in the second container suitable to determine a movement of the print material from the first container to the second container through the print head
Implementation Method 2
a first recirculating device configured to generate a first stream of the print material from the first container toward the print head and toward the second container, and a second recirculating device connected between the second container and the first container
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An apparatus for printing on a print support comprises a print head (13), for printing a print material on the print support, a feed device (11) and a recirculating unit (15) of the print material. The recirculating unit (15) comprises a first container (14), a second container (18), a first recirculating device (16) configured to generate a first stream of said print material from said first container (14) toward said print head (13) and said second container (18), and a second recirculating device (17) provided to transfer the print material from the second container (18) to the first container (14).