Information
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Patent Grant
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6511165
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Patent Number
6,511,165
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Date Filed
Thursday, October 11, 200122 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, January 28, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
-
CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 347 84
- 347 85
- 347 86
- 347 87
- 347 28
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International Classifications
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Abstract
An inkjet ink supply system is disclosed. The supply system has a foam-based fluid supply and a fluidic interconnect. The fluidic interconnect has a tower portion having a chamber therein. The chamber has an opening for interfacing with the foam-based fluid supply and for receiving a fluid, such as ink, from the foam-based fluid supply. The fluidic interconnect also has a fluid outlet portion in communication with the chamber of the tower portion. A tube may be connected to the fluid outlet portion for directing the fluid to a scanning carriage with at least one printhead. In this manner, a foam-based fluid supply may be used in either an on-axis or an off-axis configuration.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to ink supplies for ink jet printers. In particular, the invention relates to a system for coupling ink supplies with foam/filter fluidic interconnects to a tube-based printing system.
BACKGROUND
Ink jet printers typically comprise a printhead assembly which scans the width of a printing medium such as paper. Each printhead typically has several nozzles through which ink is deposited onto the printing medium. Once the printhead assembly scans a section of the printing medium, the printing medium may be advanced so that another section may be scanned by the printhead assembly. Ink may be supplied to the printhead assembly from an ink reservoir in several ways. These ways can generally be divided into two categories. One category is an on-axis delivery system. In an on-axis delivery system, the ink reservoir is generally integral with the printhead assembly and is carried along with the printhead assembly during the scanning process.
The second category of ink delivery systems is referred to as an off-axis delivery system. In an off-axis delivery system, the ink reservoir is maintained in a stationary position relative to the printer chassis. The printhead assembly may obtain ink from the ink reservoir by taking a “sip” from the reservoir between scans of the printing medium. In this way, the printhead assembly is capable of holding just enough ink for a few scans of the printing medium. Alternatively, ink may be supplied to the printhead assembly via a tube system. In this way, the printhead assembly has a constant supply of ink provided through a flexible tubing system connecting the printhead assembly to the ink reservoir while the printhead assembly scans the printing medium.
Some ink supplies employ a foam/filter fluidic interconnect between a foam-based ink supply and the printhead assembly. In such a foam-based ink supply, ink is supplied from an ink supply through a foam/filter arrangement into a fluidic interconnect. The fluidic interconnect may comprise an outlet with a rubber septum. The septum is penetrated by a hollow needle which supplies the ink directly to a printhead.
Such an arrangement for a foam-based ink supply, however, does not provide the flexibility of being used in either an on-axis or an off-axis arrangement. Present systems limit the use of a foam-based ink supply to an on-axis supply system. Accordingly, the ink supply must be carried along with the printhead assembly during the printing or scanning process. This arrangement has the additional drawback of requiring a large “swept volume” of the printer. In other words, since the ink supply must be carried along with the printhead assembly during the scanning process, a larger printer size is necessitated to accommodate the movement of the ink supply.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a system that allows the use of a foam/filter ink supply in either an on-axis or an off-axis arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the invention provides a fluidic interconnect comprising a tower portion having a chamber therein, the chamber having an opening for interfacing with a foam-based ink supply; and a fluid outlet portion in fluidic communication with the chamber, the fluid outlet portion being adapted to accept a tube for directing the fluid out of the chamber.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the fluidic interconnect may further comprise an external seal around the tower portion for preventing leakage to an external environment.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the external seal may comprise a conical member surrounding the tower portion and a spring adapted to urge the conical member against a foam-based ink supply.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the fluid outlet portion may comprise a hollowed cylindrical extension.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical extension may comprise at least one barb formed on an external wall for securing a tube onto the cylindrical extension.
Alternatively, the fluidic interconnect may comprise a ferrule and crimp cap for securing a tube to the cylindrical extension.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the fluidic interconnect may further comprise a tube guide for reducing strain on a tube connected to the fluid outlet portion.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an inkjet ink supply system comprises a foam-based fluid supply; a fluidic interconnect comprising a tower portion having a chamber therein, the chamber having an opening for interfacing with the foam-based fluid supply and receiving a fluid from the foam-based fluid supply, and a fluid outlet portion in fluidic communication with the chamber; and a tube in fluid communication with the fluid outlet portion for directing the fluid to a scanning carriage, the carriage comprising at least one printhead.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the fluidic interconnect and the foam-based fluid supply may be adapted to remain stationary as the scanning carriage scans a print region.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the fluidic interconnect may be mounted to a printer chassis.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the tube may be made of a flexible material.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the tube may have a first end connected to the fluid outlet portion of the fluidic interconnect and a second end connected to the scanning carriage.
Alternatively, the fluidic interconnect and the foam-based fluid supply may be adapted to move with the scanning carriage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following, the invention will be explained in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a schematic diagram of a fluidic interconnect manifold according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2
is a detailed perspective view of a fluidic interconnect according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3
is a cross-sectional side view of the fluidic interconnect illustrated in
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram of a fluidic interconnect manifold according to another embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional view of a fluidic interconnect illustrated in FIG.
4
.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 through 3
illustrate a fluidic interconnect system according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1
illustrates a fluidic interconnect manifold
100
comprising a manifold frame
110
. The manifold frame
110
may be made out of metal or molded plastic, for example. The manifold frame
110
is provided with mounting holes
112
for mounting the manifold
100
onto a printer chassis or carriage, for example. The manifold
100
is provided with a plurality of fluidic interconnects
120
for supplying a fluid such as printing ink from one or more reservoirs to a printhead.
FIGS. 2 and 3
illustrate a fluidic interconnect
120
in greater detail.
Each fluidic interconnect
120
comprises a tower portion
130
and a fluid outlet portion
140
. The tower portion
130
is adapted to engage a foam-based ink supply (not shown) at the top of the tower portion
130
. A coarse inlet filter
132
is provided at the entry to a fluid chamber
134
in the tower portion
130
. The coarse inlet filter
132
allows a bubble pressure to be maintained, thereby preventing ink from being drained out of the ink supply and fluidic interconnect
120
into a print head.
In the sample embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the fluid chamber
134
is formed by a hollow cylindrical extension of the manifold frame
110
. As noted above, at one end of the hollow fluid chamber
134
, the coarse inlet filter
132
is provided to interface with the ink supply and a foam-based ink supply assembly. The foam-based ink supply may be mounted to the fluidic interconnect
120
in any conventional manner. The other end of the fluid chamber
134
is in fluidic communication with the fluid outlet portion
140
, as described in detail below. The tower portion
130
is also provided with an external seal
136
. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 3
, the external seal
136
is formed in an upside down conical configuration. The external seal
136
prevents leakage of ink into the environment external to the fluidic interconnect
120
. A compression spring
138
is provided to urge the external seal
136
upward against the foam-based ink supply.
The fluid outlet portion
140
comprises an outlet channel
142
formed by a hollowed cylindrical extension of the manifold frame
110
. One end of the outlet channel
142
is in fluidic communication with the fluid chamber
134
of the tower portion
130
. Although the outlet channel
142
is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 3
as being substantially perpendicular to the fluid chamber
134
, other configurations are also contemplated.
A barb
144
is formed on the outside wall of the outlet channel
142
for retaining a tube
150
. The barb
144
prevents accidental removal of the tube
150
, for example. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3
, a single barb
144
is illustrated on the fluid outlet portion
140
. However, a series of barbs
144
may be provided for a more secure attachment of the tube
150
. In other embodiment, the barb
144
may be formed as a bulb to secure the tube
150
.
Further, the fluid outlet portion
140
is provided with a tube guide
146
. The tube guide
146
serves several purposes. For example, the tube guide assists in inserting the tube
150
onto the outlet channel
142
. Additionally, the tube guide provides strain relief for the connection between the tube
150
and the fluid outlet portion
140
.
FIGS. 4 and 5
illustrate another embodiment of a fluid interconnect manifold according to the present invention. A manifold
200
comprises a manifold frame
210
provided with mounting holes
212
, similar to those described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 3
. The manifold
200
is also provided with fluidic interconnects
220
mounted on the manifold frame
210
. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 4
, a manifold
200
is provided with four fluidic interconnects
220
. However, any practical number of fluidic interconnects
220
may be provided on a single manifold
200
.
FIG. 5
shows a fluidic interconnect
220
in greater detail. As with the embodiment described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 3
, the embodiment of
FIGS. 4 and 5
also comprises a tower portion
230
and a fluid outlet portion
240
in communication with a foam-baased ink supply
260
. The tower portion
230
comprises a fluid chamber
234
formed within a hollowed cylindrical extension of the manifold frame
210
. An external seal
236
may be provided to prevent ink from leaking to the external environment. The external seal
236
is illustrated in FIG.
4
. However, it is not required by the invention and is not shown in FIG.
5
.
The fluid outlet portion
240
comprises an outlet channel
242
formed by hollowed cylindrical extension of the manifold frame
210
. A tube guide
246
is also formed around the outlet channel
242
, similar to that described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 3
. A tube
250
is inserted into a ferrule and crimp cap
248
, which in turn in is connected to the outlet channel
242
. The ferrule and crimp cap
248
prevent accidental removal of the tube from the outlet channel
242
. An opening in the crimp cap
248
allows the tube
250
to be inserted therein. This arrangement is particularly useful for tubes
250
having a smaller inner diameter. For example, a connection between the outlet channel
242
and tubes
250
having an inner diameter of one millimeter or less may be better accomplished using the ferrule and crimp cap arrangement as illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5
.
In operation, the fluidic interconnects
120
illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3
interface with a foam-based ink supply and transmit ink through the outlet channel
142
. The outlet channels
142
may provide ink to a printhead via the tube
150
. In this manner, the foam-based ink supply may be provided as an on-axis or an off-axis system. In an on-axis system, the tube
150
is in a fixed orientation between the fluidic interconnect
120
and an inkjet printhead. Thus, the printhead, tube
150
, fluidic interconnect
120
, and the ink supply all move in unison with the carriage carrying the printhead.
Alternatively, the fluidic interconnect
120
may be used in an off-axis ink supply configuration as well. In this arrangement, the fluidic interconnect
120
as well as the manifold
100
may be affixed to a position on the printer chassis, for example. A foam-based ink supply may be provided to communicate with the fluidic interconnects
120
in a position that is stationary relative to the printer chassis. Thus, the manifold
100
, fluidic interconnects
120
, and the ink supply are stationary, but the printhead is carried through a scanning/printing region to a moving printer carriage. Ink may be supplied from the fluidic interconnects
120
to the printhead via a tube system, such as tube
150
. As noted above, the tube
150
may be made to be flexible. Thus, as the printhead scans the printing medium, the flexible tube
150
provides fluidic communication between the fluidic interconnect
120
and the printhead.
Thus, the invention allows the use of a foam-based ink supply with either an on-axis or an off-axis arrangement. The invention provides additional flexibility and modularity between ink supplies and printheads.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications and combinations are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.
Claims
- 1. A fluidic interconnect, comprising:a tower portion having a chamber therein, said chamber having an opening for interfacing it with a foam-based ink supply; an external seal around said tower portion for preventing leakage to an external environment, the external seal comprising a conical member surrounding said tower portion and a spring adapted to urge said conical member against said foam-based ink supply; and a fluid outlet portion in fluidic communication with said chamber, said fluid outlet portion being adapted to accept a tube for directing said fluid out of said chamber.
- 2. The fluidic interconnect according to claim 1, wherein said fluid outlet portion comprises a hollowed cylindrical extension.
- 3. The fluidic interconnect according to claim 2, wherein said cylindrical extension comprises at least one barb formed on an external wall for securing a tube onto said cylindrical extension.
- 4. The fluidic interconnect according to claim 2, further comprising a ferrule and crimp cap for securing a tube to said cylindrical extension.
- 5. The fluidic interconnect according to claim 1, further comprising a tube guide for reducing strain on a tube connected to said fluid outlet portion.
- 6. An inkjet ink supply system, comprising:a foam-based fluid supply; a fluidic interconnect, comprising: a tower portion having a chamber therein, said chamber having an opening for interfacing with said foam-based fluid supply and receiving a fluid from said foam-based fluid supply; an external seal around said tower portion for preventing leakage to an external environment, the external seal comprising a conical member surrounding said tower portion and a spring adapted to urge said conical member against said foam-based fluid supply; and a fluid outlet portion in fluidic communication with said chamber; and a tube in fluid communication with said fluid outlet portion for directing said fluid to a scanning carriage, said carriage comprising at least one printhead.
- 7. The inkjet ink supply system according to claim 6, wherein said fluidic interconnect and said foam-based fluid supply are adapted to remain stationary as the scanning carriage scans a print region.
- 8. The inkjet ink supply system according to claim 7, wherein said fluidic interconnect is mounted to a printer chassis.
- 9. The inkjet ink supply system according to claim 7, wherein said tube is made of a flexible material.
- 10. The inkjet ink supply system according to claim 9, wherein said tube has a first end connected to said fluid outlet portion of said fluidic interconnect and a second end connected to said scanning carriage.
- 11. The inkjet ink supply system according to claim 6, wherein said fluidic interconnect and said foam-based fluid supply are adapted to move with the scanning carriage.
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