Damper Design for Ink Jet Pump Pulsation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ink jet recording devices using a pump method for ink supply, pressure fluctuation caused by pump pulsation affects image quality and ink drop position accuracy, and existing techniques fail to adequately control pressure fluctuations, especially when the capacity of the damper in the sub tank is not properly determined.
Innovation Solution
A design assistance method that optimizes the flow channel configuration by determining the relationship between the pulsation frequency of the pump and the cutoff frequency, using a pressure absorber to reduce pulsation and prevent resonance, by acquiring and calculating the compliance capacity, composite inertance, and resistance of the liquid ejection head and supply flow channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump method is adopted for ink supply, then ink can be supplied to the print head, but pressure fluctuation occurs due to pump pulsation which affects image quality and ink drop position accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damper as an intermediary component between the pump and the print head. This damper absorbs pressure fluctuations generated by pump pulsation, preventing them from reaching the print head and causing ink drop position errors. The damper acts as a mediator that isolates the sensitive ink ejection system from the harmful pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the capacity parameter of the damper to specifically target and reduce pressure fluctuations at the pump's pulsation frequency. By adjusting the damper capacity, the system can effectively attenuate pressure variations without compromising the ink supply capability, thereby improving ink drop position accuracy while maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If the damper capacity is not properly determined, then the pump pulsation cannot be effectively reduced, but increasing damper capacity may affect system response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines the optimal damper capacity parameter based on the pump's pulsation frequency characteristics. By calculating and setting the damper capacity to a specific value, the system achieves effective pressure fluctuation reduction without excessive damping that would slow down the ink supply response. This parameter optimization balances reliability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial damping action by designing the damper capacity to specifically target pump pulsation frequencies rather than providing excessive damping across all frequencies. This selective damping approach reduces pressure fluctuations sufficiently to improve reliability while maintaining adequate system response speed for normal operation.
3Productivity
If a pump with higher rotation speed is used to improve ink supply efficiency, then productivity increases, but pressure fluctuation and pulsation effects are amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The damper serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the high-speed pump from the ink ejection system. Even when the pump operates at high rotation speeds to improve productivity, the damper absorbs the amplified pressure fluctuations, preventing them from affecting ink drop quality and position accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the damper capacity parameter to match the operating conditions of high-speed pumps. By optimizing the damper capacity for the specific pump rotation speed, the system can handle higher productivity demands while maintaining pressure stability through appropriate damping of the amplified pulsations.
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 effectively reduces pump pulsation and prevents resonance, ensuring stable ink supply and improved image quality by optimizing the flow channel configuration based on the rotational frequency of the pump.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid pressure applying unit configured to apply pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply flow channel through a pressure absorber
Implementation Method 2
a liquid pressure applying unit configured to apply pressure to the liquid in the liquid supply flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
A design assistance method for a liquid ejection device includes an acquiring step of acquiring a pulsation frequency fp of a liquid pressure applying unit, a compliance capacity C of a pressure absorber, and a composite inertance L of a liquid ejection head and a liquid supply flow channel; a determining step of determining whether a relationship between a cutoff frequency fc expressed by fc=1/(2π(LC)0.5) using the acquired C and L, and the pulsation frequency fp satisfies a predetermined relationship that satisfies fp≧fc; and an outputting step of outputting a determination result in the determining step.