Liquid Ejection Apparatus Humidification Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face challenges in uniformly maintaining high humidity in the ejection space near the ejection openings, leading to clogging issues due to uneven humidification, which requires a longer time to achieve uniform humidity across all openings.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a sealing mechanism, air supply and discharge openings, and a controller that alternates air supply through different openings to ensure uniform humidity across the ejection space in a shorter time, using a humidification unit to generate and circulate humid air effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If humidified air is supplied continuously through a single air-supply opening into the ejection space, then the ejection openings near the air-supply opening are easily humidified, but the ejection openings near the air-discharge opening are difficult to sufficiently humidify, requiring a relatively long time to achieve uniform humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air supply function into multiple segments by providing at least two air supply openings (first air supply opening and second air supply opening) positioned at different locations within the ejection space. This segmentation allows humidified air to be supplied to different regions simultaneously, improving the speed and uniformity of humidity distribution across all ejection openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point air supply approach to a multi-point spatial distribution approach by positioning air supply openings at different locations (e.g., left and right sides) within the ejection space. This dimensional change in air supply configuration enables simultaneous humidification of multiple regions, reducing the time required to achieve uniform humidity.
2Reliability
If the sealing mechanism seals the ejection space from the outside space, then humidified air can be supplied into the ejection space to prevent clogging, but the complexity of the device increases due to the sealing mechanism and multiple openings
Solution Approach 1:
The capping member is designed to perform multiple functions: it seals the ejection space from the outside space to prevent contamination, provides structural support for the air supply openings, and facilitates the humidification process. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability in preventing ejection opening clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sealing function and air supply function into an integrated structure where the capping member serves as both the seal and the housing for multiple air supply openings. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate sealing components and air supply structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable prevention of clogging.
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 allows for rapid and uniform humidification of the ejection space, preventing clogging by ensuring consistent humidity levels across all ejection openings, thereby improving the maintenance efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a humidification unit configured to generate humid air and circulate the humid air in the ejection space
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to control the supply portion such that a period in which the humid air is supplied via the first opening and a period in which the humid air is supplied via the second opening do not overlap each other
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a liquid ejection head having an ejection face; a sealing mechanism configured to selectively establish a sealing state in which an ejection space is sealed and an unsealing state; first and second openings, interposing at least a part of the ejection face in one direction, for supplying air into the ejection space; a generating portion configured to generate humid air; a supply portion configured to supply the generated humid air into the ejection space via the first or the second opening; and a controller configured to control the supply portion such that a period in which the humid air is supplied via the first opening and a period in which the humid air is supplied via the second opening do not overlap each other when the humid air is supplied into the ejection space in a current humid-air supply processing.