Print Particle Supply Valve Liner Wiping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print particle residue often remains on the surface of supply valves and receptacles after refilling, contaminating new particles and transferring to unintended surfaces, leading to inefficiencies in printing devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liner adjacent to the print particle exit and receptacle exit to wipe away residual particles during transitions, reducing contamination and transfer of particles to the user and other surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a supply valve is used to transfer print particles into a reservoir, then the printing device can be refilled, but print particle residue remains on the surface of the supply valve and receptacle causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful residue problem by introducing a separate liner component that can be removed and replaced. The liner is taken out from the supply valve assembly, allowing it to be discarded after use, thereby removing the contamination source from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner acts as an intermediary element between the supply valve and the print particles. It mediates the transfer process by providing a disposable surface that contacts the particles, protecting the permanent supply valve components from contamination while enabling refilling.
2Productivity
If print particle residue remains on the supply valve surface, then the refilling process can continue, but contaminated particles enter the reservoir and transfer to unintended surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is designed as a cheap, disposable component that is replaced with each refilling operation. This allows continuous refilling to proceed without interruption while ensuring particle cleanliness, as each new liner provides a fresh, uncontaminated surface for particle transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a discard strategy for the liner after each use. Instead of attempting to clean and reuse the supply valve surface, the contaminated liner is discarded and a new one is installed, ensuring that contaminated particles do not enter the reservoir while maintaining continuous refilling capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to a supply valve consistent with the disclosure. For instance, a supply valve to supply print particles to a receptacle, the supply valve may comprise a print particle exit, a print particle entrance perpendicular to the print particle exit, and a liner adjacent to the print particle exit, where the liner is to wipe print particles, when present, from the supply valve responsive to the transition of the supply valve between a closed position and an open position.