Ejection Head Cleaning via Diaphragm Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses with pressurized cleaning mechanisms require complex manufacturing processes to ensure hermeticity and include costly components like pressure sensors, leading to increased product costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a carriage and pressurizing mechanism that includes a liquid storage chamber and a deforming member, where the carriage presses the deforming member at a pressurized position to change the volume of the liquid storage chamber, simplifying the structure and reducing the need for complex hermeticity processes and costly components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressurizing mechanism with hermetic seals and pressure management components is used, then liquid discharge from nozzles is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and product cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hermetic seal and pressure management components from the pressurizing mechanism, retaining only the essential deforming member (membrane) that directly contributes to liquid discharge. This removal of unnecessary components simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces product cost while maintaining the core functionality of forcing liquid out of clogged nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple membrane structure that can be easily replaced rather than using complex, expensive pressure management systems. The membrane is a consumable component that can be discarded and replaced when worn or damaged, reducing overall system cost and complexity compared to durable, complex seal systems
2Reliability
If hermetic seals are implemented in the pressurizing mechanism, then liquid storage chamber hermeticity is ensured, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes hermetic seals from the liquid storage chamber construction, relying instead on the inherent sealing capability of the deforming member (membrane) when pressed against the chamber wall. This extraction of unnecessary seal components simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining adequate hermeticity for the application
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane itself serves as both the deforming element and the seal, eliminating the need for separate hermetic seal components. The membrane's flexibility allows it to maintain contact and sealing against the chamber wall through its own deformation during operation, without requiring additional sealing mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensors and dedicated drive systems are added to the pressurizing mechanism, then pressure management is improved, but product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts pressure sensors and dedicated drive systems from the pressurizing mechanism, using instead the mechanical deformation of the membrane through simple actuation forces. This removal of complex measurement and control components significantly reduces product cost while maintaining sufficient pressure management for nozzle cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic pressure management systems with a purely mechanical approach, where the membrane's deformation directly generates the necessary pressure through mechanical force application. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for sensors, controllers, and complex drive electronics
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 simplified structure reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while effectively performing pressurized cleaning, ensuring efficient discharge of liquid from nozzles without the need for additional pressure management components.
Implementation Method 1
the carriage causes a liquid in the nozzle of the ejection head communicating with the liquid storage chamber to flow in a discharge direction by pressing the deforming member at the pressurized position to pressurize the liquid storage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a wiper carriage 59, and a pressurizing mechanism 60 disposed in a liquid supply path 73 via which a liquid from the liquid storage portion 101 is supplied to an ejection head 20H. The wiper carriage 59 has a wiper 58, which is an example of a maintenance portion. The pressurizing mechanism 60 includes a liquid storage chamber 63 that forms a portion of the liquid supply path 73 and a diaphragm 62, which is an example of a deforming member configured to be deformed to change the volume of the liquid storage chamber 63. The wiper carriage 59 causes the liquid in a nozzle 20N of the ejection head 20H communicating with the liquid storage chamber 63 to flow in a discharge direction by pressing the diaphragm 62 at the pressurized position to pressurize the liquid storage chamber 63.