Filter Chamber Design for Stable Ink Flow and Bubble Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with clogging and deteriorated ejection properties due to foreign matters and air bubbles passing through filters in the liquid supply path, leading to inadequate ink supply and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a filter chamber divided into upstream and downstream sides, where the liquid inlet does not face the filter surface, and a vertical liquid outlet is positioned to prevent foreign matters and air bubbles from passing through, combined with a flexible member and regulation member to enhance air bubble discharge during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid inlet faces the filter surface, then foreign matters are effectively collected by the filter, but foreign matters and air bubbles may pass through to the downstream side causing nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the liquid inlet from a horizontal orientation (facing the filter surface) to a vertical orientation (not facing the filter surface). This dimensional change in inlet positioning prevents direct flow impact on collected foreign matters and air bubbles, eliminating the pathway for them to pass through to the downstream side while maintaining effective filtration.
2Productivity
If the liquid outlet is positioned in the lower portion of the first chamber, then ink supply is efficient, but air bubbles remaining in the upper portion cannot be discharged during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the liquid outlet from the lower portion to the upper portion of the first chamber. This vertical positioning allows air bubbles that naturally rise to the upper portion during operation to be effectively discharged during maintenance operations, while the ink supply efficiency is maintained through the optimized chamber configuration and inlet positioning.
3Volume of moving object
If the filter chamber is compact, then device size is reduced, but air bubble discharge during maintenance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized upper portion region in the first chamber specifically designed for air bubble accumulation and discharge. This local quality enhancement in the upper region, combined with the vertically positioned outlet, ensures effective air bubble discharge during maintenance while maintaining overall compact filter chamber dimensions.
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 reduces the likelihood of foreign matters and air bubbles reaching the nozzles, ensuring stable ink flow and improved maintenance efficiency by preventing clogging and maintaining ejection properties.
Implementation Method 1
a filter chamber which is disposed in the middle of the liquid supply path and of which an inner portion is divided into a first chamber on a downstream side and a second chamber on an upstream side by a filter (53) which filters the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the air bubbles normally remain in an upper portion (a portion directly below the filter, in JP-A-2012-45725) of the first chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a liquid ejecting head having nozzles through which liquid can be ejected, a liquid supply path through which the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting head, and a filter chamber which is disposed in the middle of the liquid supply path and of which an inner portion is divided into a first chamber on a downstream side and a second chamber on an upstream side by a filter which filters the liquid, in which a liquid outlet through which the liquid is introduced from the first chamber of the filter chamber to a downstream side of the liquid supply path is formed in an upper position of the first chamber in a vertical direction.