Dual Pressure Compartment Liquid Ejecting Head Ink Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads face challenges in efficiently discharging ink due to the limitations of their pressure compartment design, which restricts the amount of ink that can be ejected and leads to ink circulation issues, resulting in reduced printing performance and increased viscosity at the nozzle meniscus.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a common liquid chamber that functions as both an ink supply and circulation passage, utilizing first and second pressure compartments connected through a communication passage, with piezoelectric elements to control pressure and facilitate ink flow from both compartments to the nozzle, enhancing ink ejection and circulation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pressure compartment is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ink ejection capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure compartment is divided into first and second pressure compartments that are arranged in series and connected through a communication passage. Each pressure compartment has its own drive element (first and second drive elements), allowing independent pressure control. This segmentation enables the system to eject larger amounts of ink by utilizing both compartments while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
2Productivity
If ink circulates through a separate passage, then circulation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication passage that connects the first and second pressure compartments serves dual functions: it allows ink to circulate between the compartments and also acts as part of the ink supply path to the nozzle. By merging the circulation function into the existing pressure compartment connection structure, the system achieves efficient ink circulation without adding separate circulation passages, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
3Reliability
If a wall is formed between pressure compartments, then backflow prevention is improved, but ink discharge capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A communication passage with a communication portion acts as an intermediary structure between the first and second pressure compartments. This communication passage includes a filter and a deaerator that remove air bubbles and foreign substances from the circulating ink. The communication passage allows controlled ink flow between compartments while preventing backflow, and the filter/deaerator ensure ink quality, resolving the contradiction between backflow prevention and discharge capacity.
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 allows for increased ink ejection capacity, improved circulation efficiency, and reduced viscosity at the nozzle meniscus, preventing ink drying and clogging, thereby enhancing printing performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first drive element that changes pressure of the first pressure compartment; and a second drive element that changes pressure of the second pressure compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided comprising: a liquid ejecting head; and a controller. The liquid ejecting head including: a nozzle from which a liquid is ejected; a first communication passage that is in communication with the first nozzle; a first pressure compartment; a first drive element that changes a pressure of the first pressure compartment; a first passage that connects the first pressure compartment and the first communication passage; a second pressure compartment; a second drive element that changes a pressure of the second pressure compartment; a second passage that connects the second pressure compartment and the first communication passage. The controller performs a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being a mode in which liquid flows from the first pressure compartment through the first communication passage to the nozzle, and liquid flows the second pressure compartment through the second communication passage to the nozzle, and, the second mode being a mode in which liquid flows from the first pressure compartment through the first communication passage to the nozzle, and liquid flows from the nozzle through the second communication passage to the second pressure compartment.