Fluid Ejecting Apparatus Flushing Method for Micro-Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face difficulties in completely removing small micro-diameter bubbles from ink chambers, leading to printing errors and inefficient ink discharge due to insufficient flushing forces.
Innovation Solution
A flushing method involving a pressure chamber with a pressure generating element that expands and contracts to increase the diameter of bubbles, allowing for effective removal of bubbles through a series of pulses, including a first pulse portion that increases voltage, a second pulse portion that maintains voltage, and a third pulse portion that returns to ground, optimizing the bubble removal process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single flushing process is performed with conventional pressure generation, then the flushing process is simple and quick, but small micro-diameter bubbles cannot be completely removed from the ink chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by performing multiple flushing processes with different pressure patterns. Specifically, it executes a first flushing process with a first period and a second flushing process with a second period, where each process uses different pressure generation conditions. This periodic variation in flushing parameters enables complete removal of micro-diameter bubbles that cannot be eliminated by a single conventional flushing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes pressure parameters between different flushing processes. The first flushing process uses one set of pressure generation conditions while the second flushing process uses different pressure generation conditions. By varying pressure parameters (such as pressure magnitude, duration, and waveform) between flushing cycles, the system achieves effective removal of stubborn micro-bubbles without requiring complex additional hardware.
2Reliability
If pressure is continuously increased to flush bubbles, then bubble removal effectiveness improves, but the risk of damaging the pressure chamber or nozzle increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously increasing pressure to maximum levels, the patent uses periodic action with alternating flushing processes of different intensities. The first flushing process uses one pressure pattern while the second uses another, allowing effective bubble removal through cumulative pressure variations rather than extreme peak pressures, thereby protecting the pressure chamber and nozzle from damage.
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 method reliably discharges and removes micro-diameter bubbles, improving ink ejection efficiency and reducing printing errors by generating a sufficient force to expel bubbles and thickened ink, enhancing the overall performance of fluid ejecting apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
generating a negative pressure in the pressure chamber so that the pressure chamber is expanded into an expanded state
Implementation Method 2
contracting the pressure chamber, causing fluid to be discharged from the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A flushing method for a fluid ejecting apparatus that includes a pressure chamber filled with fluid, a pressure generating element on a surface of the pressure chamber that deforms the surface to change the pressure in the pressure chamber, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the pressure chamber that ejects the fluid, the method including repeatedly performing first flushing process a first period; and repeatedly performing a second flushing process with a second period. The flushing processes include causing the pressure chamber to expand into an expanded state, maintaining the expanded state, and contracting the pressure chamber from the expanded state, causing the fluid to be ejected from the nozzle. The amount of fluid ejected from the nozzle in the second flushing process is larger than the amount ejected in the first flushing process.