Fluid Ejection Apparatus Recirculation Channel Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid ejection devices, such as printers, face performance issues due to entrapment of contaminating particles and air bubbles, which affect the reliability and quality of printing.
Innovation Solution
A fluid ejection apparatus with a fluid slot, recirculation channel, drop generator, fluid circulation pump, and filter is designed to circulate fluid across the drop generator, filter, and pump, ensuring that fluid is replenished and contaminants are removed before each droplet ejection, reducing nozzle failures and enhancing printing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid is circulated through a recirculation channel with a filter and pump, then contamination and air bubble entrapment are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation channel integrates multiple functions into a single continuous fluid pathway: fluid ejection, filtration, pumping, and circulation are merged into one unified system. The channel connects the fluid slot, filter, and pump in sequence, allowing the same fluid to be repeatedly circulated through all components without requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is positioned in the recirculation channel to remove contaminants and air bubbles from the fluid before the fluid reaches the drop generator for ejection. This preliminary filtration action prevents contamination issues during the actual printing process, addressing potential problems before they occur.
2Reliability
If fluid is continuously circulated and filtered, then contaminant introduction is reduced, but loss of time for fluid circulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system operates continuously, maintaining constant fluid circulation through the channel, filter, and pump. This continuous circulation ensures that fluid is constantly being purified and replenished, preventing contaminant accumulation and air bubble entrapment without requiring periodic interruptions for maintenance or priming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically circulates and filters fluid without external intervention. The pump continuously draws fluid through the filter and returns it to the fluid slot, creating a self-sustaining circulation loop that maintains fluid purity and prevents contamination issues without requiring manual operation.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the introduction of external contaminants and air bubbles, leading to improved printing performance by ensuring that fluid is purified and circulated before each droplet is ejected, thereby enhancing the reliability and quality of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric fluid actuator is located in a channel to cause fluid to flow from a fluid slot, through the channel and a drop generator
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid ejection apparatus (20, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1490, 1720, 1820) and method eject a droplet of fluid using a drop generator (46, 246, 1546) receiving fluid from a passage (44, 244, 1344, 1444, 1494, 1544, 1744) having an inlet (54, 254, 1554) adjacent a fluid slot (40, 240, 1540) and an outlet (56, 256, 1556) spaced from the inlet (54, 254, 1554) and adjacent the fluid slot (40, 240, 1540). Fluid is drawn through a filter (50, 250, 650, 1550) with a pump (48, 248, 1548) within the passage (44, 244, 1344, 1444, 1494, 1544, 1744) that pumps the fluid towards the inlet (54, 254, 1554) to the drop generator (46, 246, 1546).