Liquid Droplet Ejecting Apparatus Dual Circulating Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet ejecting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent ink temperature and flow rate across multiple nozzles, leading to inefficiencies in image recording and maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a dual circulating path system with adjustable flow resistances and a sub-tank to regulate ink pressure and temperature, along with a controller managing pumps and valves to optimize ink circulation and supply, ensuring consistent ink distribution and temperature across all nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single common flow path is used to supply liquid to multiple ejecting portions, then the device structure is simple, but temperature variations and flow rate inconsistencies occur across nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common flow path into multiple separate flow paths (first flow path, second flow path, etc.), each serving specific ejecting portions. This segmentation allows independent temperature and flow rate control for different nozzle groups, resolving the temperature inconsistency problem while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple opening/closing mechanisms are added to control individual flow paths, then ink supply control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve control system into multiple individual valves (first valve, second valve, etc.), each controlling a specific flow path. This allows precise control of ink distribution to different nozzle groups while organizing the complexity through a modular valve architecture that can be systematically managed.
3Productivity
If pressure is applied to the common flow path, then ink circulation efficiency improves, but pressure fluctuations affect multiple nozzles simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure control system by providing individual pressure applying portions for each flow path. This allows independent pressure regulation for different nozzle groups, maintaining circulation efficiency while preventing pressure fluctuations from affecting all nozzles simultaneously, thus stabilizing the ejection process.
4Temperature
If circulating paths are added to maintain ink temperature, then temperature consistency improves, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmented circulating paths (first circulating path, second circulating path, etc.) that correspond to different flow paths and nozzle groups. This allows targeted temperature maintenance for specific regions while organizing the circulating system in a modular fashion that simplifies monitoring and maintenance compared to a single complex circulating system.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses temperature variations and maintains efficient ink flow, enhancing image recording quality and simplifying maintenance operations by minimizing pressure fluctuations and optimizing ink supply to each nozzle.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure applying portion being disposed in the supply-side common flow path and applying pressure to the supply-side common flow path
Implementation Method 2
a second pressure applying portion being disposed in the discharge-side common flow path and applying pressure to the discharge-side common flow path
Implementation Method 3
a first circulating path circulating the liquid between the supply-side common flow path and the discharge-side common flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus including: plural liquid droplet ejecting portions; supply-side individual flow paths; discharge-side individual flow paths; a supply-side common flow path; a discharge-side common flow path; first opening/closing mechanisms; second opening/closing mechanisms; a first pressure applying portion; a second pressure applying portion; a first circulating path; a third opening/closing mechanism; a second circulating path including an upstream end portion being connected to the supply-side common flow path further downstream than a connecting portion of a supply-side individual flow path connected to the supply-side common flow path at a furthest upstream side in a liquid circulating direction and a downstream end portion being connected to the discharge-side common flow path, and circulating the liquid between the supply-side common flow path and the discharge-side common flow path; and a fourth opening/closing mechanism, is provided.