Humidification Mechanism for Inkjet Heads with Non-Volatile Component Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of non-volatile components in a humidifier liquid reservoir leads to deterioration in the steam generating function, making it inefficient to produce humidified air for inkjet heads.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a humidification mechanism that includes a determination unit to assess the amount of non-volatile components in the reservoir, triggering a water reservoir cleaning process to remove excess components, thereby maintaining the humidifying function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If water is repeatedly evaporated and replenished in the water reservoir to maintain humidification, then the humidifying function is sustained, but the amount of non-volatile component increases causing deterioration in steam generating function
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit continuously monitors the amount of non-volatile components in the water reservoir and provides feedback to the control unit. When the non-volatile component amount exceeds a threshold, the system automatically initiates cleaning operations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains humidification reliability without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-maintenance by automatically detecting when the water reservoir requires cleaning and executing the cleaning process without external intervention. The determination unit and control unit work together to enable the system to service itself, maintaining optimal performance through automated monitoring and maintenance
2Device complexity
If non-volatile components are allowed to accumulate in the water reservoir, then the system structure remains simple, but the humidifying efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit provides real-time feedback on non-volatile component accumulation, enabling the control unit to initiate cleaning only when necessary. This feedback mechanism maintains high humidification efficiency without requiring complex continuous cleaning systems, balancing simplicity with performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in water quality parameters (non-volatile component concentration) and triggers cleaning operations based on threshold values. This parameter-based control maintains humidification efficiency while avoiding unnecessary cleaning operations that would increase system complexity
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 deterioration in the humidifying function by regularly removing non-volatile components, ensuring efficient humidified air production and maintaining ink viscosity control.
Implementation Method 1
a humidified air supply unit configured to supply humidified air humidified by a humidifier liquid stored in the humidifier liquid reservoir to the discharge space
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge space which faces a discharge surface of a liquid discharge head which is sealed by a cap. A humidification pump is driven to rotate forward such that air in a discharge space is humidified while passing through a water reservoir via an opening and tubes. Humidified air flows into the discharge space via a tube and an opening. When an amount of non-volatile component in the water reservoir exceeds a prescribed amount, the humidification pump is driven to rotate backward such that water stored in the water reservoir is exhausted through the opening via the tubes.