Diaphragm Pump Ink Feeding Device with Sandwiched Filter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently and reliably conveying ink from an ink container to a recording head, particularly in preventing backflow and ensuring consistent ink quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid feeding device comprising a diaphragm pump, a suction unit with a suction check valve, a discharge unit with a discharge check valve, and a filter unit, where the suction and discharge units are arranged in a stacking manner with the filter unit sandwiched between them, preventing backflow and ensuring ink quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a diaphragm pump is used to convey ink, then ink can be transported from the ink container to the recording head, but backflow of ink may occur reducing conveyance reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the diaphragm pump and the ink flow path. This check valve allows ink to flow only in the forward direction (from ink container to recording head) and automatically closes to prevent backflow when the diaphragm reverses direction, thus eliminating the harmful backflow effect while maintaining reliable ink conveyance
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful backflow function is extracted from the diaphragm pump system by separating the pumping function (diaphragm) from the one-way flow control function (check valve). This allows the diaphragm pump to focus on positive ink conveyance while the check valve independently handles the backflow prevention, improving overall system reliability
2Device complexity
If ink is conveyed through a simple pump system, then the structure remains simple, but foreign objects may contaminate the ink reducing image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A filter unit is introduced as an intermediary component in the ink flow path between the ink container and the recording head. This filter intercepts and removes foreign objects from the ink before it reaches the recording head, preventing contamination and maintaining image quality while adding only a simple filtering stage to the overall pump structure
Solution Approach 2:
The filter performs preliminary cleaning of the ink stream before it enters the critical recording head area. By removing foreign objects in advance (upstream of the recording head), the system prevents potential contamination issues rather than dealing with them after they occur, ensuring consistent image quality
3Reliability
If check valves are added to prevent backflow, then ink conveyance reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed to operate automatically based on the pressure differential created by the diaphragm's reciprocating motion. During the suction stroke, positive pressure opens the valve; during the discharge stroke, reverse pressure automatically closes it. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, sensors, or actuators, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable backflow prevention
4Reliability
If a filter unit is added to remove foreign objects, then ink purity improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the diaphragm pump unit, the check valve unit, and the filter unit. Each module can be manufactured, assembled, and maintained independently. The filter is designed as a separate replaceable component that can be easily installed and removed without affecting the rest of the pump system, simplifying manufacturing and maintenance processes
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 prevents backflow of ink, improves ink conveyance performance, and ensures the ink discharged is free from foreign objects, thereby maintaining the integrity of the recording process and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a suction check valve configured to allow the liquid to flow only in a suction direction with respect to the diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
a discharge check valve configured to allow the liquid to flow only in a discharge direction with respect to the diaphragm
Implementation Method 3
The filter unit is disposed between the suction unit and the discharge unit, and includes a filter covering a flow cross section of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid feeding device includes a diaphragm pump, a suction unit, a discharge unit, and a filter unit. The filter unit includes a filter disposed between the suction unit and the discharge unit, so as to cover a liquid flow cross section. The suction unit and the discharge unit are arranged in a stacking manner so that the filter unit is sandwiched between them, and that an inflow chamber of the suction unit and an outflow chamber of the discharge unit face the diaphragm on one side in a reciprocating direction of the diaphragm.