Inkjet Filter Guide Passage for Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatus filters become clogged quickly due to foreign matters accumulating on the filter surfaces directly opposed to the ink-introducing passages, requiring excessively wide areas to maintain functionality over time.
Innovation Solution
A cavity unit design where the ink flows along the surface of the filter before entering the filter portion, using guide passages to direct the ink flow, preventing foreign matters from accumulating on the entire filter surface and allowing the ink to pass through a larger area, thus extending the filter's lifespan without increasing its area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter is directly opposed to the ink-introducing passage, then foreign matters are effectively captured, but the filter clogs quickly and requires excessively wide area to maintain functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ink flow direction from perpendicular to the filter surface to parallel to the filter surface. The guide passage directs ink to flow along the filter surface in the ink flow direction, causing foreign matters to accumulate on the upstream side surface rather than blocking the entire filter. This dimensional change in flow direction resolves the contradiction between effective foreign matter capture and extended filter lifespan.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the filter area is increased to prevent clogging, then filter lifespan is extended, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the ink flow to move parallel to the filter surface rather than perpendicular to it, the patent allows the same filter area to serve much longer without clogging. The guide passage ensures ink flows along the upstream side surface, concentrating foreign matter accumulation in a specific region and preserving the majority of the filter area for continued operation, thus extending lifespan without increasing filter size.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide passage acts as an intermediary element that modifies the ink flow path. It directs the ink to flow along the filter surface upstream side, creating a controlled flow pattern that prevents direct perpendicular impact on the filter. This intermediary structure enables the filter to maintain functionality longer without requiring a larger area.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the filter area is increased to maintain functionality, then filter lifespan is extended, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves extended filter lifespan by modifying the flow dimension rather than increasing filter size. The guide passage creates a parallel flow pattern along the filter surface, which is a simple structural addition that avoids the complexity and cost of manufacturing larger filter assemblies while dramatically extending filter operational life.
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
The design effectively prevents filter clogging by directing ink flow along the filter surface, allowing foreign matters to accumulate in specific areas and preventing them from entering the filter, thereby extending the filter's operational life without needing a larger filter area.
Implementation Method 1
causes the introduced ink to flow, before the ink flows into the upstream-side communication chamber, in a first direction along one of opposite surfaces of the filter plate
Implementation Method 2
at least one filter portion which removes foreign matters from the introduced ink
Data Source
AI summary
A cavity unit for use in an ink jet recording head, including plate members which stacked on each other and having an ink-introducing passage, a filter portion which removes foreign matters from introduced ink, two communication chambers which communicate with each other through the filter portion, and nozzles each of which ejects a droplet of the ink. The plate members include a filter plate including the filter portion, and a guide-passage plate which is provided adjacent the filter plate and which has, on an upstream side of an upstream-side one of the two communication chambers with respect to an ink-flow path, a guide passage which causes the introduced ink to flow, before the ink flows into the upstream-side communication chamber, in a direction along one surface of the filter plate.