Dual-Chamber Pump for Bubble-Free Ink Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face issues with air bubbles entering the system during ink tank replacement, leading to potential jetting failures and nozzle blockages, and existing solutions, such as vacuum pumps, increase the apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a pump device featuring a first and second chamber, where air and liquid are separated and discharged sequentially, preventing intense mixing and ensuring that air bubbles are not supplied to the sub tank or recording head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum pump is used to discharge air bubbles from the ink tank, then air bubbles can be removed effectively, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful air bubbles from the ink supply system by providing a dedicated air bubble discharge path that separates air removal from the main ink flow path. The air bubble discharge nozzle provides a separate outlet specifically for air bubbles, allowing them to be removed without requiring a vacuum pump or increasing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the air bubble discharge nozzle and associated air bubble discharge hole - that mediates between the ink supply system and the external environment. This intermediary structure enables air bubble removal through passive discharge rather than active vacuum pumping.
2Ease of operation
If air bubbles enter the suction pump during ink tank replacement, then air and ink are stirred intensively, but ink with large amount of air bubbles is supplied to the sub tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing air discharge holes and air bubble discharge paths before the ink reaches the sub tank and recording head. The air bubbles are discharged at the air bubble discharge nozzle located in the ink supply channel, preventing contaminated ink from entering the sub tank in the first place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts air bubbles from the ink stream at multiple points - through air discharge holes in the ink tank and through the air bubble discharge nozzle in the supply channel - preventing them from mixing with and contaminating the ink in the sub tank.
3Reliability
If air bubbles flow up to the recording head nozzle, then nozzle blockage may occur, but vacuum pump increases apparatus size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts air bubbles from the system at the air bubble discharge nozzle before they can reach the recording head. By providing a dedicated discharge path for air bubbles in the ink supply channel, the system removes the harmful element (air bubbles) without requiring a vacuum pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bubble discharge nozzle acts as an intermediary structure that intercepts air bubbles in the ink flow and provides a separate discharge path. This intermediary mechanism prevents air bubbles from reaching the recording head nozzle while maintaining a compact apparatus design.
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 solution effectively prevents ejecting defects caused by air bubbles without increasing the apparatus size, ensuring stable ink flow and nozzle operation.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer-force applying section which is configured to apply a transfer force for transferring a liquid inside the first chamber to the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
the liquid which has been imparted to the first chamber accumulates at a lower portion of the first chamber, and air which has been imparted to the first chamber accumulates at an upper portion of the first chamber
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a main tank, a sub tank, a liquid ejecting head, a first supply channel member, a second supply channel member, and a pump device. The first liquid supply channel includes an upstream-side supply channel, and a downstream-side supply channel. The pump device includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a transfer-force applying section. The first chamber inlet is connected to a downstream-side end portion of the upstream-side supply channel. The first chamber outlet and the second chamber inlet are connected to the transfer-force applying section. The second chamber outlet is connected to the downstream-side supply channel. The first chamber outlet is provided to an upper-end portion of the first chamber. The second chamber outlet is provided to an upper-end portion of the second chamber.