Inkjet Cleaning Liquid Flow Paths for Uniform Nozzle Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face challenges in efficiently distributing and ejecting cleaning liquid to maintain the recording heads, leading to potential clogging and reduced print quality due to uneven pressure distribution and inconsistent ejection of cleaning liquid.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device with a flow path system featuring parallel division flow paths, check valves, and flow path resistant members to regulate pressure and ensure uniform ejection of cleaning liquid to the recording heads, using a pump to manage pressure and a nozzle system for precise distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple flow path without pressure regulation components is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure distribution becomes uneven leading to inconsistent liquid ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressure regulation components (check valves and flow path resistant members) that dynamically adjust flow parameters based on pressure conditions. The check valve opens/closes based on pressure differential, and the flow path resistant member provides variable resistance, enabling consistent ejection pressure across parallel flow paths despite variations in liquid supply pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve and flow path resistant member act as intermediary components between the liquid supply and ejection nozzles. These intermediaries buffer pressure variations and regulate flow, ensuring that pressure fluctuations in the main supply do not directly affect ejection consistency at the nozzles.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure regulation components are added to ensure uniform ejection, then the ejection consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple parallel division flow paths, each equipped with its own check valve and flow path resistant member. This segmentation isolates pressure variations in each branch, ensuring that issues in one path do not affect others, while maintaining uniform ejection across all nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve and flow path resistant member dynamically change flow parameters (opening/closing, resistance level) based on pressure conditions, providing adaptive pressure regulation that ensures consistent ejection without requiring complex active control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the check valve allows liquid flow at low pressure, then the liquid supply flexibility is improved, but the ejection pressure becomes insufficient leading to poor ejection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed with specific opening/closing pressure thresholds that allow it to remain closed during low-pressure supply (preventing backflow) and open only when supply pressure exceeds the threshold (enabling ejection). This parameter-based control ensures both supply flexibility and reliable ejection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve acts as an intermediary that mediates between variable supply pressure and required ejection pressure. It buffers low-pressure conditions by remaining closed and only permits flow when pressure conditions are sufficient for reliable ejection.
4Manufacturing precision
If the flow path resistant member provides high resistance to regulate pressure, then the ejection pressure uniformity is improved, but the liquid flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path resistant member provides variable resistance that adapts to pressure conditions. At high supply pressure, it provides higher resistance to maintain uniform ejection pressure. At low supply pressure, the resistance effect is reduced, allowing adequate flow rate while still maintaining pressure uniformity across parallel paths.
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 uniform ejection of cleaning liquid, preventing clogging and maintaining print quality by regulating pressure and ensuring efficient distribution to all recording heads.
Implementation Method 1
distributes the liquid in the direction of ejection of the liquid toward the nozzle when a pressure of the liquid in the division flow path is equal to or greater than a first pressure
Implementation Method 2
generates resistance to the distribution of the liquid and distributes the liquid in the direction of ejection of the liquid toward the nozzle when a pressure of the liquid that has passed through the check valve is equal to or greater than a second pressure greater than the first pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device includes ejection portions which are respectively arranged in a plurality of division flow paths. The ejection portion includes a nozzle, a check valve and a flow path resistant member. The check valve is arranged on the upstream side of the nozzle in the direction of ejection of the liquid and distributes the liquid toward the nozzle when the pressure of the liquid in the division flow path is equal to or greater than a first pressure. The flow path resistant member is arranged between the check valve and the nozzle, generates resistance to the distribution of the liquid and distributes the liquid toward the nozzle when the pressure of the liquid that has passed through the check valve is equal to or greater than a second pressure greater than the first pressure.