Liquid Supply Unit Common Flow Path for Inkjet Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face complexity and increased costs due to the need for multiple ink and cleaning liquid supply paths, which complicate assembly and maintenance, especially when multiple recording heads are involved.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply unit with a common flow path system that integrates ink and cleaning liquid supply paths, eliminating the need for individual tubes to each recording head, allowing for efficient and cost-effective ink and cleaning liquid distribution through a single body housing connected to multiple recording heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual ink and cleaning liquid supply paths are provided for multiple recording heads, then each recording head can receive dedicated liquid supply, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual ink and cleaning liquid supply paths into a single common flow path that serves all recording heads. The liquid supply unit includes a body housing with a common flow path that distributes liquid to multiple recording heads through integrated channels, eliminating the need for separate tubes and connections for each head.
Solution Approach 2:
The common flow path structure serves multiple functions simultaneously - it supplies ink to multiple recording heads and transports cleaning liquid to clean the nozzles of all heads. This universal liquid distribution system replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated supply paths, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable liquid supply to each recording head.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate tubes and connections are used for ink and cleaning liquid supply, then dedicated liquid delivery is achieved, but assembly and maintenance become more difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple liquid supply functions into a single body housing structure with internal common flow paths. Instead of requiring separate tubes and connections for each recording head, the liquid supply unit uses one integrated housing that contains all necessary flow channels, reducing the quantity of connections and simplifying assembly procedures.
3Ease of repair
If individual ink and cleaning liquid supply paths are provided for each recording head, then dedicated liquid delivery is ensured, but maintenance and repair become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The common flow path design consolidates multiple supply paths into a single integrated structure within the body housing. This merging reduces the number of separate components that can fail or require maintenance, simplifying repair procedures while ensuring reliable liquid delivery to all recording heads through the unified flow distribution system.
Data Source
AI summary
A head unit includes a plurality of recording heads and a liquid supply unit. The liquid supply unit includes a body housing, an external connection port, and a head connection port. A body housing is positioned above the nozzles of the plurality of recording heads and has thereinside a common flow path through which the liquid passes. An external connection port is provided in the body housing, communicates with one end of the common flow path, is connected to an external liquid supply source, and through which the liquid passes. A head connection port is provided in the body housing and communicates with the other end side of the common flow path, is connected to each of the plurality of recording heads, and through which the liquid passes.