Wick-Based Waste Printing Fluid Evaporation Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

In larger printing systems, managing waste printing fluid is challenging due to the high volume produced, leading to potential overflow and damage if the collection reservoir is not serviced promptly, resulting in extra costs, downtime, and environmental hazards.

Innovation Solution

A waste printing fluid collection unit with a capillarity element, such as a wick extending from an end wall into the reservoir, enhances evaporation by allowing ambient air entry through openings, increasing maintenance cycles and stability with anti-slosh baffles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a disposable absorber is used in smaller printing systems, then waste printing fluid can be managed simply, but the fluid volume is insufficient for larger printing systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste printing fluid management simplicityVSAvoidwaste printing fluid capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The waste collection system is divided into multiple functional components: a collection reservoir for accumulating fluid, a wick element for absorption and evaporation, and anti-slosh baffles for stability. This segmentation allows the system to handle large fluid volumes while maintaining operational simplicity through specialized functional elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wick element is designed as a consumable component that is replaced periodically. This disposable element absorbs and evaporates waste printing fluid, extending the maintenance cycle without requiring complex recovery systems, thus maintaining ease of operation while managing large fluid volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If the collection reservoir is serviced promptly to prevent overflow, then damage and environmental hazards are avoided, but maintenance time and resources are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevent overflow and damageVSAvoidmaintenance downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wick element performs preliminary action by continuously absorbing and evaporating waste printing fluid before the reservoir becomes full. This preventive mechanism extends the maintenance cycle, allowing longer intervals between servicing while still preventing overflow and associated damages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wick element provides self-service functionality by automatically absorbing and evaporating waste printing fluid without requiring external intervention. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the frequency of manual maintenance while ensuring the reservoir does not overflow, thus reducing both maintenance time and reliability risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the wick element enhances evaporation of waste printing fluid, then maintenance cycles are extended, but the collection reservoir volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance cycle durationVSAvoidcollection reservoir volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The wick element utilizes phase transition through evaporation to convert liquid waste printing fluid into vapor. This phase change process removes fluid from the reservoir over time, extending the maintenance cycle duration. The evaporation mechanism allows the reservoir to hold less fluid for longer periods while maintaining effective waste management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 solution effectively extends the maintenance cycles of the waste printing fluid collection unit by enhancing evaporation, reducing the risk of overflow and associated damages, while minimizing downtime and resource waste.

Implementation Method 1

a wick extending from the end wall towards the reservoir; wherein the wick is on a first side, connected to the end wall and, on a second side extends into the reservoir to contact the waste printing fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The wick extends from the end wall towards the reservoir... enhancing the evaporation of the printing fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20230373217A1Collecting waste printing fluid

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

It is herein disclosed a waste printing fluid collection unit that may be part of a servicing station and/or a printing system, the waste printing fluid collection unit comprising; a collection reservoir for collecting the waste printing fluid, the collection reservoir having an end wall that separates the collection reservoir from ambient air; and a wick extending from the end wall towards the reservoir; wherein the wick is on a first side, connected to the end wall and, on a second side extends into the reservoir to contact the waste printing fluid.