Fluid Circulation Apparatus Bypass Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid circulation apparatuses for inkjet recording systems face challenges in accurately measuring and maintaining the pressure of the nozzle, leading to instability in fluid ejection performance due to the need for multiple pressure sensors and complex pressure adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A fluid circulation apparatus with a bypass flow path and a pressure sensor in the bypass tank, which connects the supply and collection ports outside the fluid ejection head, allowing for simplified pressure measurement and control by calculating the average pressure across the fluid ejection head, reducing the number of required pressure sensors and stabilizing the fluid pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pressure sensors are used to measure nozzle pressure upstream and downstream of the fluid ejection head, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A bypass flow path is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the supply port and collection port outside the fluid ejection head. This bypass path allows pressure measurement at a single location while indirectly reflecting the pressure conditions across the ejection head, eliminating the need for multiple direct pressure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure measurement function is extracted from the direct nozzle path and relocated to the bypass flow path. By measuring pressure in the bypass path rather than directly at multiple points in the nozzle system, the patent achieves pressure monitoring with reduced sensor requirements while maintaining measurement effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If multiple pressure sensors and complex pressure adjustments are implemented, then pressure control accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path serves as a mediator that simplifies pressure control operations. By providing a single measurement point in the bypass path, the system enables straightforward pressure monitoring and adjustment without requiring complex multi-point control systems, making the apparatus easier to operate while maintaining control accuracy.
3Reliability
If pressure sensors are placed upstream and downstream of the fluid ejection head, then pressure measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides a flow bypass route and simultaneously serves as the location for pressure measurement. This multi-functional design achieves reliable pressure monitoring without requiring separate dedicated measurement components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a fluid circulation apparatus includes a first tank to store fluid to be supplied to a fluid ejection head, a circulation path including a first flow path portion to provide fluid from the first tank to a supply port of the fluid ejection head, and a second flow path portion to return fluid from a collection port of the fluid ejection head to the first tank, a bypass flow path to connect the supply port to the collection port outside of the fluid ejection head, and a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure of the bypass flow path.