Ink Flow Path Inclination for Bubble Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bubbles in liquid flow paths of ink jet-type recording apparatuses and other liquid ejecting devices cause ink supply issues due to attachment to internal surfaces, leading to path closure and difficulty in discharging liquid effectively.
Innovation Solution
Designing liquid ejecting apparatuses with horizontal flow paths that have the smallest second direction component, allowing bubbles to be easily discharged by aligning parallel to the main scanning direction, and forming flow paths with linear partial paths to enhance bubble discharge properties, especially for ink with high surface tension or high surfactant content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If horizontal flow paths are used to reduce the vertical size of the flow path member, then the device size in the vertical direction is reduced, but bubbles attach to and remain in the horizontal flow paths, causing path closure and difficulty in supplying liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the flow path design by incorporating inclined flow paths that extend in both horizontal and vertical directions. Specifically, the flow paths are configured to incline in the vertical direction at angles between 5-45 degrees, creating a three-dimensional flow path configuration that prevents bubbles from attaching to horizontal surfaces while maintaining compact vertical dimensions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the surface tension of ink is increased to improve wetting and spreading of CMYK ink on white ink base, then the adhesiveness of CMYK ink with regard to base white ink is improved, but bubbles are generated easily and stay in horizontal flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the flow paths by introducing inclination angles between 5-45 degrees in the vertical direction. This parameter change fundamentally alters bubble behavior in the flow paths, preventing bubble attachment to horizontal surfaces while allowing the ink formulation to maintain high surface tension for improved wetting and spreading properties.
3Productivity
If ink introducing needles are inserted into the ink cartridge to supply ink, then ink can be supplied to the liquid flow paths, but external air is mixed in the liquid flow paths from the ink introducing needles and bubbles are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the liquid flow paths to extend in the vertical direction with inclination angles between 5-45 degrees, creating a three-dimensional flow path that prevents air entrapment and bubble formation at the interface between the ink cartridge and flow paths, while maintaining effective ink supply through the introducing needles.
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
Effectively prevents bubble attachment and closure of flow paths, ensuring reliable ink supply and improved discharge properties by facilitating the movement and expulsion of bubbles with the reciprocating motion of the ejecting head.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid ejecting head performs a reciprocating movement in a main scanning direction, and bubbles are moved out of the horizontal flow paths by inertial forces generated by the reciprocating movement
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided which can suppress bubbles from remaining in liquid flow paths. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head that includes a flow path member in which a plurality of ink flow paths are formed, a head main body to which ink is supplied form the flow path member and which ejects the ink to a recording sheet, and a moving element that causes the head to perform a reciprocating moving motion on the recording sheet in the X direction. In the plurality of ink flow paths, the longest ink flow path has the smallest Y direction component on an XY surface (a horizontal surface) of the plurality of ink flow paths.