Standpipe Floor Geometry for Air Bubble Management in Print Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
In print devices that operate in sideways or horizontal orientations, air bubbles tend to accumulate and become trapped in the fluid delivery system, leading to partial occlusion of the fluid supply path, especially in cartridges with high-density nozzles and aggressive drying printing fluids.
Innovation Solution
The fluid delivery system incorporates features such as standpipes with sloped or ramped floors, protuberances, and angled shelf areas to increase fluid velocity and facilitate the breakup and movement of air bubbles, reducing the likelihood of trapping and improving fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the print device operates in sideways or horizontal orientations, then printing capability is provided, but air bubbles accumulate and become trapped in the fluid delivery system, causing partial occlusion of the fluid supply path
Solution Approach 1:
The standpipe interior is segmented into multiple sections with different surface properties. The first section has a first surface angle and the second section has a second surface angle, creating distinct zones that differently manage air bubble movement. This segmentation allows the system to handle air bubbles effectively while maintaining fluid flow in non-vertical orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the standpipe interior are given different local qualities through varying surface angles. The first section has a first surface angle and the second section has a second surface angle, creating localized regions that differently interact with air bubbles and fluid flow, thereby preventing bubble trapping while maintaining printing capability in various orientations.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-density nozzles are used, then printing resolution is improved, but air bubbles more easily become trapped and occlude the fluid supply path
Solution Approach 1:
The standpipe is divided into multiple sections with different surface angles to segment the air bubble management function. This allows the system to maintain high-density nozzle capabilities while using the segmented standpipe structure to prevent air bubble accumulation that would otherwise occlude the fluid supply path.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface angles of the standpipe sections are specifically designed parameters to control air bubble behavior. By changing the angle parameter between the first and second sections, the system optimizes fluid flow and air bubble removal, enabling high-density nozzle operation without suffering from increased air bubble trapping.
3Productivity
If aggressive drying printing fluids are used, then printing speed is improved, but air bubbles more easily become trapped and occlude the fluid supply path
Solution Approach 1:
The standpipe is segmented into multiple sections with different surface angles, creating distinct zones that manage air bubble movement. This segmentation prevents air bubbles from becoming trapped in the fluid supply path, allowing the system to use aggressive drying printing fluids at high speeds without experiencing increased bubble-related occlusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface angle parameters of the standpipe sections are optimized to control the interaction between aggressive drying fluids and air bubbles. By carefully selecting and varying these angle parameters, the system maintains high printing speed while preventing air bubble trapping that would otherwise occur with aggressive drying fluids.
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 design effectively reduces the likelihood of air bubbles becoming trapped, ensuring consistent and unobstructed printing fluid delivery even in non-vertical orientations, enhancing the reliability of print cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
standpipe 224 has a floor 264 which includes sloped or ramped portions 265 that slope or ramp towards slots 226. As a result, ramped portions 265 form an angle with the vertical walls 265 of standpipe 224 that is greater than 90 degrees and also forms an angle with a top of slots 226 that is greater than 90 degrees.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments and methods relating to delivering fluid through a standpipe and one or more slots are disclosed.