Inkjet Apparatus Air Chamber Filter Capillary Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers experience liquid leakage from nozzles when the posture of the liquid ejecting apparatus is changed, leading to increased water load and ink leakage due to the position of the liquid surface in the container being higher than the liquid ejecting head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a supply flow path that includes a filter and multiple flow paths connected upstream, where the air chamber is positioned higher than the filter, generating capillary force to suppress leakage by forming meniscuses and creating a bubble point pressure that counters the water load, even when the apparatus is in a second posture with the liquid surface above the nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the liquid storage portion is positioned above the liquid ejecting head in the vertical direction, then the liquid surface position becomes higher than the liquid ejecting head, but the water load in the nozzles becomes extremely large causing ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the liquid storage portion and the liquid ejecting head. The filter creates capillary forces that generate a pressure counteracting the water load, preventing ink leakage while allowing the liquid storage to be positioned above the ejecting head for compact configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The filter utilizes porous material structure to create capillary channels. These channels generate capillary pressure that balances the water load in the nozzles, enabling the system to maintain reliability even when the liquid storage is positioned vertically above the ejecting head
2Length of moving object
If the liquid storage portion is positioned far from the liquid ejecting head in the scanning direction, then the distance becomes large, but the water load in the nozzles becomes extremely large causing ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The filter acts as an intermediary that decouples the distance relationship between liquid storage and ejecting head from the water load problem. By introducing capillary pressure through the filter, the system can tolerate larger distances without experiencing ink leakage
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow paths are connected to the supply flow path upstream from the filter, then air can be supplied to the liquid, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter serves multiple functions: it filters liquid, generates capillary pressure to prevent leakage, and works with the air chamber to enable air supply through multiple flow paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing complexity while enabling posture change capability
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 ink leakage from the nozzles by maintaining a stable meniscus formation and reducing water loads on the nozzles, ensuring reliable operation during changes in posture.
Implementation Method 1
generating capillary force to suppress leakage by forming meniscuses and creating a bubble point pressure that counters the water load
Implementation Method 2
forming meniscuses and creating a bubble point pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid, a liquid storage portion that stores the liquid, a supply flow path that communicates the liquid ejecting head and the liquid storage portion with each other, and an air chamber that is coupled to the supply flow path through a plurality of flow paths. The supply flow path includes a filter. The plurality of flow paths are, in the supply flow path, connected upstream of the filter, and the air chamber is positioned at a position higher than the filter when in a posture during use.