Reversible Pump Inkjet Cartridge Air Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air trapped in the inkjet cartridge and ink supply lines interferes with the proper ejection of ink from nozzles, leading to printing issues due to debris accumulation and pressure imbalances.

Innovation Solution

A printing system incorporating a reversible pump that operates sequentially in two directions to supply ink through two fluid lines, effectively removing air bubbles from the inkjet cartridge and ink supply lines by alternating between filling and returning ink, ensuring consistent pressure and preventing air accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single fluid line supplies ink from the reservoir to the cartridge, then the system is simple, but air becomes trapped in the line and interferes with proper ink ejection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid line configurationVSAvoidink ejection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single fluid line is segmented into two separate fluid lines: a first fluid line for supplying ink from the reservoir to the cartridge, and a second fluid line for returning ink from the cartridge to the reservoir. This segmentation allows air to be trapped and removed in one line while ink flows through the other, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and ink ejection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic pumping cycles where the pump alternates between pumping ink through the first fluid line to the cartridge and pumping ink through the second fluid line from the cartridge. This periodic action creates pressure variations that prevent air accumulation and ensure reliable ink ejection while maintaining a relatively simple system configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Duration of action of stationary object

If air is allowed to remain in the ink line, then the system operates continuously without interruption, but air interferes with proper ejection of ink from nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidink ejection quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts air from the ink supply system by providing a dedicated return path through the second fluid line. The pump periodically draws ink (and trapped air) back from the cartridge through this return line, removing air bubbles that would otherwise interfere with ink ejection while allowing continuous operation to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump operates in periodic cycles, alternating between filling the cartridge through the first fluid line and returning ink through the second fluid line. This periodic action creates pressure fluctuations that prevent air accumulation and ensure air-free ink ejection throughout continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If the pump operates continuously in one direction, then ink flow is consistent, but air accumulates in the ink line and cartridge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink flow consistencyVSAvoidair accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously pumping ink in one direction, the system inverts the pumping direction periodically by switching between the first and second fluid lines. This reversal creates pressure variations that prevent air accumulation while maintaining consistent ink flow to the cartridge during each pumping phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump operates periodically, alternating between two directions: pumping ink from the reservoir to the cartridge through the first fluid line, and pumping ink from the cartridge back to the reservoir through the second fluid line. This periodic bidirectional operation prevents air accumulation while ensuring consistent ink supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively removes air bubbles and maintains consistent ink flow, preventing debris accumulation and ensuring reliable ink ejection by repeatedly operating the reversible pump in alternating directions, thus maintaining print quality and system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Pressure inside of the fluid chamber is increased relative to ambient air pressure to force a drop of fluid through the nozzle(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8888208B2System and method for removing air from an inkjet cartridge and an ink supply line

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 R R DONNELLEY & SONS CO

AI summary

A printing system includes an inkjet cartridge, an ink reservoir, and a reversible pump. A method and system of operating the printing system are providing in which first fluid line couples the ink reservoir and an input port of the inkjet cartridge. A second fluid line couples the reversible pump and an output port of the inkjet cartridge. The reversible pump is operated in a first direction to supply ink from the ink reservoir to the ink jet cartridge via the first fluid line. The reversible pump is a second direction to supply ink from the ink reservoir to the inkjet cartridge via the second fluid line. The reversible pump is operated in the first direction and the second direction repeatedly and sequentially for a predetermined duration.