Ink Flushing Tray Layout for Uniform Waste Liquid Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection devices face issues with uneven distribution of functional liquid droplets in the flushing box, leading to regions with insufficient liquid reception, which can result in drying and hardening of droplets on the absorbing member, compromising effective flushing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device design featuring a liquid receiving section positioned below the ejection section, with a tray spanning the depth direction of the movement area, ensuring uniform liquid reception and preventing droplet hardening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the flushing box spans the sub-scanning direction with an absorbing member, then the liquid receiving section can be provided to receive functional liquid droplets, but the liquid distribution becomes uneven causing regions with insufficient liquid reception
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid receiving section is divided into multiple independent liquid receiving units arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Each unit can independently receive and manage liquid droplets, preventing uneven distribution across the entire spanning structure. This segmentation ensures that each receiving unit maintains adequate liquid levels without being affected by variations in other units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each liquid receiving unit is designed with localized liquid receiving capabilities tailored to its specific position and function. The absorbing members are configured within individual units rather than spanning the entire width, allowing each unit to optimize its liquid reception characteristics independently, thereby maintaining uniform liquid distribution across all units.
2Quantity of substance
If the absorbing member spans the sub-scanning direction, then the flushing box can receive functional liquid droplets, but droplets dry and harden in regions with insufficient liquid reception
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the liquid receiving section into multiple independent units, each unit maintains its own liquid reservoir and absorbing member configuration. This prevents the drying and hardening issue from propagating across the entire structure, as each unit independently maintains adequate liquid levels for reliable flushing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid receiving units are pre-configured with sufficient liquid capacity and absorbing member arrangement to ensure adequate liquid reception from the beginning. This preliminary preparation prevents the situation where liquid droplets would dry and harden, maintaining reliable flushing functionality throughout operation.
3Quantity of substance
If a spanning absorbing member is used in the flushing box, then liquid droplets can be received, but the region with small liquid reception causes improper flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing box is segmented into multiple liquid receiving units, each with its own absorbing member. This segmentation ensures that liquid droplets are distributed across multiple independent receiving zones, preventing concentration issues in any single region and maintaining effective flushing operation throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each liquid receiving unit is designed with localized absorbing members positioned to optimally receive liquid droplets in its specific region. This local optimization ensures that each unit provides effective flushing functionality, and the collective arrangement of all units ensures uniform liquid reception across the entire flushing box.
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
Ensures consistent and efficient reception of ejected liquid, preventing drying and maintaining the functionality of the flushing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid receiving section having an absorbing member that receives liquid that was ejected as waste liquid from the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device includes a base section, a liquid ejection section that ejects ink from nozzles onto a medium, a liquid receiving section that receives ink ejected as waste liquid from the nozzle, an ejection section movement mechanism that holds the ejection section and the liquid receiving section movably, and a liquid tray that is provided below the liquid receiving section and receives ink discharged from the liquid receiving section, wherein the ejection section movement mechanism can move the liquid ejection section and the liquid receiving section in the depth direction and can also move the liquid ejection section in a scanning direction that intersects the depth direction, the liquid receiving section is located below the liquid ejection section as viewed from the direction along the scanning direction, and the liquid tray is located spanning the depth direction of the movement area in which the liquid receiving section moves.