Spittoon System V-Shaped Bottom Gravity Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid solidification of printing fluid residue in a spittoon system can lead to stalagmite formation, which interferes with print quality and clogs nozzles, requiring frequent cleaning cycles.
Innovation Solution
A spittoon system with a V-shaped bottom part that directs printing fluid residue by gravity to a drain collector, combined with a cleaning carriage and belt drive mechanism to efficiently move and collect residue, reducing the need for cleaning cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing fluid residue is collected in a spittoon reservoir, then the spitting process can be performed, but printing fluid residue solidifies and forms stalagmites that interfere with print quality and clog nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir bottom is divided into a first zone for receiving spit and a second zone for collecting residue, with a cleaning carriage that segments the cleaning function from the collection function. This segmentation prevents residue accumulation in the spitting area while providing dedicated collection and cleaning zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by equipping the cleaning carriage with scrapers and a suction device that remove residue before it can solidify and form stalagmites. The continuous cleaning action prevents the harmful solidification process from completing.
2Productivity
If printing fluid residue accumulates in the reservoir, then spitting can continue, but cleaning cycles must be performed frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning carriage operates continuously or periodically to scrape and suction residue from the reservoir bottom, maintaining a clear spitting area throughout operation. This continuous cleaning action eliminates the need for frequent停机 cleaning cycles, allowing uninterrupted printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-cleaning through the automated cleaning carriage that continuously removes residue from the reservoir. This self-service cleaning mechanism eliminates the need for external manual intervention and frequent maintenance cycles.
3Ease of operation
If a V-shaped bottom part is used to direct residue by gravity, then residue collection is improved, but the system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped bottom part uses gravity as the driving force, creating a natural flow path for residue without requiring additional energy input or complex mechanical systems. The geometry itself provides the driving force for residue movement to the collection zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning carriage acts as an intermediary between the spitting zone and the collection zone, using scrapers and suction to transfer residue along the V-shaped bottom. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system by using passive gravity flow combined with active residue removal.
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 reduces the number of cleaning cycles needed by allowing printing fluid residue to be collected and drained efficiently, preventing nozzle clogs and maintaining print quality.
Implementation Method 1
The floor portion of the bottom part is V-shaped in the longitudinal direction to accumulate the printing fluid received in the reservoir during the spitting process. This causes the printing fluid to move by gravity to a drain collector in a second zone.
Data Source
AI summary
A spittoon system for a printing mechanism includes a reservoir elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a bottom part. The reservoir receives printing fluid residue spit from a print-head onto a first zone of the reservoir. The spittoon system further includes a cleaning element arranged inside the reservoir to transfer, by sliding along the longitudinal direction of the reservoir, the received printing fluid residue from the first zone to a second zone. The second zone includes a drain outlet to drain the printing fluid residue from the reservoir.