Valve Assembly Actuation with Biasing Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing systems, valve assemblies that rely on solenoids for actuation can lose their state and return to a default position when power is lost, leading to indeterminate operation, as they lack mechanisms to maintain specific valve positions without continuous energization.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a common actuator that, when energized, actuates valves between positions, and includes biasing mechanisms to maintain these positions even when power is lost, using frictional forces and springs to keep the valves in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If solenoids are used to actuate valves in valve assemblies, then the valves can be controlled to change positions for fluid flow control, but when power is lost the solenoids can no longer maintain the valve positions and the valves return to a default position leading to indeterminate operation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly employs a dynamic positioning system where valves can be actively controlled to specific positions during normal operation, and automatically transition to predetermined safe positions when power is lost. The system dynamically adjusts valve states based on power availability, ensuring both operational flexibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of power loss (which causes solenoids to fail and valves to return to default positions) into a beneficial feature by designing the system so that power loss automatically triggers a safe state transition. The loss of power becomes a reliable signal to switch to a fail-safe configuration, eliminating indeterminate states.
2Reliability
If continuous energization is used to maintain valve positions, then the valves can stay in specific positions for precise fluid flow control, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous energization, the system uses periodic or intermittent actuation signals from the solenoids to position valves. Once positioned, the valves maintain their state without continuous power, requiring energy only when position changes are needed. This periodic control approach significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed to maintain its own position state without requiring continuous external energy input. The mechanical structure and solenoid design enable valves to stay in position once actuated, making the system self-sustaining during normal operation and automatically transitioning to fail-safe states when power is lost.
3Device complexity
If multiple valves are controlled by a common actuator, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but when power is lost all valves may lose their state simultaneously leading to system-wide indeterminate operation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly segments the control system by providing individual solenoids for each valve while using a common actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows each valve to be independently controlled and to transition to its own predetermined safe position when power is lost, preventing system-wide indeterminate states while maintaining simplified actuator configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The common actuator is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple valves simultaneously or independently. Each valve within the assembly can be actuated by the common mechanism, and each has its own fail-safe position, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while ensuring individual valve reliability during power outages.
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
Ensures that valves in the valve assembly can maintain their positions during power outages, ensuring consistent fluid flow and system operation, even when the actuator is no longer energized, thereby preventing indeterminate states.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism to bias the valve to the first valve position when the actuator is not energized
Implementation Method 2
using frictional forces and springs to keep the valves in place
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a valve assembly for a fluid ejection device includes a plurality of valves to control fluid supply from a plurality of fluid sources to the fluid ejection device, each respective valve of the plurality of valves actuatable between a first valve position to provide fluid communication through a first fluid path between a first fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources and the fluid ejection device, and a second valve position to provide fluid communication through a second fluid path between a second fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources and the fluid ejection device. A common actuator, when energized, controls movement of the plurality of valves. Each respective biasing mechanism of a plurality of biasing mechanisms is to maintain the respective valve at each of the first valve position and the second valve position without energizing the common actuator.