Liquid Supply System with Pressure Control Valve for Inkjet Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices with off-carriage systems face challenges in maintaining stable ink supply and preventing ink leakage due to pressure fluctuations and tube deformation, especially when the ink cartridge is located higher than the ink head, leading to potential ink flow path occlusion or leakage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply system with a pressure control valve that closes the supply path when not in use, maintaining negative pressure at the ink head nozzle, and a damper with a storage chamber to stabilize ink flow, along with a controller to manage the liquid supply pump and detect liquid levels, ensuring stable ink delivery and preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ink cartridge is located at a position higher than the ink head to reduce the supply path length, then the ink supply stability is improved, but ink leakage occurs when the device is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure control valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the ink cartridge and the ink head. This valve mediates the pressure differential caused by the elevated ink cartridge position, allowing stable ink supply during operation while preventing leakage when the device is idle by closing the flow path and maintaining negative pressure at the ink head.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the tube pump is kept stopped to prevent ink leakage, then ink leakage is prevented, but the tube remains crushed and may be softened leading to flow path occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two states: during operation, the pressure control valve opens to allow ink flow while the tube pump maintains gentle pressure; when idle, the valve closes to prevent leakage while releasing the tube from compression. This dynamic control prevents both ink leakage and tube damage.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the pressure control valve closes the supply path when not in use, then ink leakage is prevented, but pressure fluctuations may occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control valve incorporates a feedback mechanism that monitors pressure conditions in real-time. During operation, the valve opens to maintain stable pressure and prevent fluctuations. When idle, it closes to prevent leakage. The feedback control ensures smooth transitions between states and maintains system stability throughout operation.
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 system ensures stable ink supply to the ink head while preventing leakage by maintaining negative pressure and managing liquid flow effectively, even when the ink cartridge is positioned higher than the ink head, thus improving printing quality and extending the life of the ink supply path.
Implementation Method 1
a damper that is in communication with the injection head and includes a storage chamber temporarily storing the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The pressure control valve closes the liquid supply path while the liquid supply device is OFF or at a stop. This maintains the nozzle of the injection head to have a negative pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply system includes a liquid supply source, an injection head, a damper in communication with the injection head, a liquid supply path including an end in communication with the liquid supply source and another end in communication with the damper, a liquid supply device supplying the liquid from the liquid supply source toward the damper, a pressure control valve provided between the liquid supply source and the liquid supply device, and a controller controlling the liquid supply device to be actuated or to be stopped. The pressure control valve closes the liquid supply path while the liquid supply device stopped.