Bypass Channel Liquid Distribution for Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The quality of images recorded by liquid discharge apparatuses is deteriorated due to increased viscosity, contamination with bubbles, and sedimentation of components within the liquid, such as pigment, within the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus is designed with a channel member that includes individual channels, manifold channels, and a bypass channel with lower resistance, allowing for efficient distribution and circulation of the liquid to prevent bubble contamination and sedimentation, featuring a unique connection configuration between these channels to enhance flow rates and prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid is circulated through individual channels to maintain image quality, then bubble contamination and sedimentation are reduced, but channel resistance increases and flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel member is divided into multiple individual channels, each with its own bypass channel. This segmentation allows liquid to be distributed across multiple parallel pathways, reducing the resistance in each individual channel while maintaining the overall circulation function for bubble removal and sedimentation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass channel is introduced as an intermediary low-resistance pathway that connects the supply manifold channel and return manifold channel. This bypass channel acts as a mediator that allows liquid to flow through a shorter, lower-resistance route while still maintaining the circulation loop, thereby improving flow rate without compromising the bubble and sediment removal function.
2Productivity
If bypass channel is added to reduce resistance and increase flow rate, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass channel is merged with the existing supply and return manifold channels to form an integrated circulation system. By combining the bypass function with the existing manifold structure, the patent achieves flow rate improvement without adding completely separate independent components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass channel serves multiple functions: it provides a low-resistance flow path to improve productivity, maintains the circulation loop for bubble removal, and prevents sedimentation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity increase while achieving productivity improvement.
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 apparatus effectively maintains the liquid in a suitable state for image formation by quickly discharging bubbles and preventing sedimentation, ensuring high-quality image recording.
Implementation Method 1
a bypass channel which is connected to the first manifold channel and the second manifold channel, and which is configured to allow the liquid in the first manifold channel to flow to the second manifold channel; the bypass channel has a smaller channel resistance than each of the plurality of individual channels
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus configured to discharge a liquid, including a channel member for the liquid. The channel member is formed to include: individual channels; a first and second manifold channels; and a bypass channel. Each of the individual channels and the bypass channel are all connected to the first manifold channel on only one of an upper and lower sides of a central portion between upper and lower surfaces of the first manifold channel, and connected to the second manifold channel on only one of upper and lower sides of a central portion between upper and lower surfaces of the second manifold channel. A channel resistance of the bypass channel is smaller than that of the individual channels.