Ink Chamber Pressure Venting During Container Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink leakage during container exchange and the introduction of bubbles into the ink channel can occur in printing apparatuses, leading to reduced productivity and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a liquid chamber and pressure chamber system, featuring a wall member that adjusts capacity based on pressure changes, a pressure adjusting unit for controlled liquid replenishment and supply, and an air release unit to manage pressure during container exchange, preventing bubble introduction and maintaining stable liquid supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure control is uniformly stopped during container exchange, then ink leakage is prevented, but productivity decreases due to operation interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating pressure control in different regions: the pressure chamber is vented to atmosphere during container exchange to prevent ink leakage, while the liquid chamber maintains its pressure to continue supplying ink to the discharge head. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of leakage prevention and operational continuity.
2Productivity
If container exchange is performed during ink introduction to liquid chamber, then productivity is maintained, but bubbles are sucked into the ink channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different pressure conditions to different chambers: the pressure chamber is released to atmosphere to allow safe container exchange, while the liquid chamber maintains negative pressure to continue drawing ink without allowing bubbles to enter the channel. This spatial differentiation of pressure control resolves the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
3Productivity
If container exchange is performed during pressurization and supply, then productivity is maintained, but printing operation must be stopped in some cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pressure control system into two independent chambers: the pressure chamber for container exchange operations and the liquid chamber for ink supply. This segmentation allows the container exchange to occur in one chamber without affecting the ink supply function in the other chamber, thereby maintaining both productivity and printing stability simultaneously.
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
Prevents bubble mixing in the ink channel and maintains productivity by ensuring stable ink supply during container exchange, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing ink leakage risks.
Implementation Method 1
a wall member configured to partition between the liquid chamber and the pressure chamber and be displaced in accordance with a pressure in the pressure chamber so as to change a capacity of the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
an air release unit configured to release the pressure chamber to air in accordance with an operation associated with exchange of the liquid container during the replenishing operation
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a forming unit configured to form a liquid chamber to which a liquid is introduced and which stores the liquid, and a pressure chamber, a wall member configured to partition between the liquid chamber and the pressure chamber and be displaced in accordance with a pressure in the pressure chamber, a pressure adjusting unit configured to adjust the pressure in the pressure chamber so as to perform a replenishing operation of introducing the liquid from a liquid container to the liquid chamber, and a supplying operation of supplying the liquid from the liquid chamber to a discharging unit, and an air release unit configured to release the pressure chamber to air in accordance with an operation associated with exchange of the liquid container during the replenishing operation but not to release the pressure chamber to the air during the supplying operation.