Agitating Device for Ink Jet Apparatus Using Deformation Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet type printing apparatuses face issues with precipitation of functional materials like pigments, dyes, and resins in the ink chamber, leading to density distribution and aggregation over time, which affects the uniformity of ink supply to the ejecting head.
Innovation Solution
An agitating device with a movement portion and a deformation portion that changes the volume of the accommodation chamber, integrated with an agitating portion that agitates the liquid without a separate driving mechanism, using a pressing member and protruding portions to ensure efficient mixing and prevent precipitation, is integrated into the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid is left for a predetermined period in the ink chamber, then the functional materials precipitate and density distribution occurs, but adding an additional agitating portion with its own driving mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The agitating portion is integrated with the movement portion (pressure adjustment mechanism) that already exists in the system. The movement portion serves dual functions: adjusting pressure for ink supply and agitating the ink to prevent precipitation. This merging eliminates the need for a separate driving mechanism for the agitating portion, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ink uniformity and avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it adjusts the pressure of the ink in the accommodation chamber to control ink supply to the ejecting head, and simultaneously agitates the ink to prevent precipitation and maintain uniform density distribution. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliable ink uniformity without adding separate agitating mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a separate driving mechanism for the agitating portion is provided, then the liquid can be agitated effectively, but the configuration of the device becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The agitating portion is merged with the movement portion, which is already equipped with its own driving mechanism for pressure adjustment. The same driving mechanism drives both the pressure adjustment function and the agitating function, eliminating the need for a separate driving mechanism and keeping the device configuration simple while effectively suppressing precipitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement portion's driving mechanism is designed to provide universal functionality, driving both the pressure adjustment operation and the agitating operation. This multi-functional design allows effective suppression of precipitation without requiring an additional dedicated driving mechanism, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
3Reliability
If the protruding portion is disposed at the lower end portion of the accommodation chamber, then precipitated functional material can be efficiently agitated, but the pressing member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion is strategically disposed at the lower end portion of the accommodation chamber, which is the region where precipitation is most likely to occur due to gravity. This localized placement of the protruding portion targets the specific area needing agitation, improving agitation efficiency for precipitated materials without requiring complex overall structure of the pressing member.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion is positioned in advance at the lower end portion where precipitation is expected to occur, allowing it to immediately agitate any precipitated functional material as the movement portion operates. This preliminary positioning ensures that agitation action is applied exactly where needed, improving efficiency without adding structural complexity.
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 suppresses the precipitation of functional materials, ensuring a uniform density of the ink supplied to the ejecting head, thereby preventing variations in the ejected liquid and maintaining the apparatus's simplicity by avoiding complex configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation portion that is deformed so as to change a volume of the accommodation chamber
Implementation Method 2
the agitating portion have a pressing member which presses the liquid in a movement direction of the movement portion
Implementation Method 3
the pressing member have a protruding portion which protrudes in a direction intersecting the movement direction
Implementation Method 4
the agitating portion have a rotation member which is rotated in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction
Data Source
AI summary
An agitating device includes: a movement portion which is provided in a liquid accommodation portion that has an accommodation chamber accommodating a liquid containing a functional material and a deformation portion that is deformed so as to change a volume of the accommodation chamber, and is moved along with deformation of the deformation portion; and an agitating portion which agitates the liquid in the accommodation chamber along with movement of the movement portion.