HP INCFollow

Abstract

In some printers, during the start‐up, the Ink Delivery System is purged by using a gas purger

(instead of a printhead) fluidically connected to the fluid interconnect on the carriage, which

allows to evacuate air or any other gas that may be present in the Ink Delivery System.

The gas in the Ink Delivery System is purged through the gas purger in response to a fluid being

pumped into the Ink Delivery System. The ink pressure gradually increases while the ink moves

upstream to the fluid interconnect. Once the ink reaches the purgers and the foam collapses,

the ink pressure exponentially increases.

Prior to remove the purgers, the ink pump is turned off. If the remaining ink pressure is too

high, there could be ink spills when the gas purgers are removed from the fluid interconnect.

The purge process of the Ink Delivery System is a critical process, as it is the first impression

that the customer has with the printer, thus any ink drop falling in the printer has a negative

impact on the experience and the robustness perceived by the customer. Furthermore, ink

drops may dry on electrical components, gears... to the point to cause a printer malfunction.

Also, ink located on the Fluid Interconnect of the carriage will get dry and during the printhead

replacement, may end entering to the printhead and affecting its performance.

This invention describes a process to reduce the remaining ink pressure when the ink reaches

the purgers to avoid the ink spills when the gas purgers are removed.

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Creative Commons License
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