Inkjet Recording Apparatus Flow Passage Dynamics for High-Speed Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional recording apparatuses experience pressure rise in the recording head during high-speed printing, leading to potential ink leakage due to the inertia force acting on the ink in the ink tubes.
Innovation Solution
The recording apparatus incorporates a flow passage system with a fixed flow passage and two movable flow passages that follow the carriage movement, along with a valve that limits the ink flow to the recording head and allows reverse flow, thereby controlling pressure fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the carriage is caused to reciprocate at a high speed to process high-speed printing, then productivity is improved, but the pressure rise in the recording head exceeds the meniscus withstanding pressure, causing ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flow passage dynamic by coupling it to the carriage movement. The flow passage moves together with the carriage, allowing it to effectively manage ink flow dynamics during high-speed reciprocation. This dynamic configuration enables the flow passage to respond to inertial forces generated during rapid carriage movement, preventing pressure buildup that would cause ink leakage while maintaining high printing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow passage acts as an intermediary element between the ink supply system and the recording head. By positioning and coupling this flow passage to the moving carriage, it mediates the ink flow, absorbing and distributing the inertial forces generated during high-speed reciprocation. This intermediary structure prevents direct transmission of pressure shocks to the recording head, thereby preventing ink leakage while enabling high-speed operation.
2Stress or pressure
If two tubes are coupled to both ends of a recording head forming a loop shape, then the pressure rise in the recording head is suppressed by distributing ink movement, but the configuration cannot prevent ink leakage at high printing speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static loop configuration into a dynamic one by coupling the flow passage to the carriage. This allows the loop structure to move with the carriage, effectively managing ink flow during high-speed reciprocation. The dynamic loop configuration can adapt to inertial forces, preventing pressure buildup that would cause ink leakage while maintaining the pressure-distributing benefit of the loop structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the loop configuration by making it move with the carriage at high speeds. This parameter change (from stationary to moving loop) allows the structure to effectively manage ink flow dynamics during rapid reciprocation, preventing pressure buildup and ink leakage while maintaining the pressure-distributing function of the loop shape.
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
This configuration effectively reduces pressure fluctuations in the recording head, preventing ink leakage even at high printing speeds by managing the ink flow and pressure dynamics within the system.
Implementation Method 1
ink in ink tubes that are coupled to the carriage is moved by an inertia force generated when the carriage changes direction
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a carriage, a tank, a flow passage, and a valve. The carriage includes a recording head that ejects liquid contained in the tank and supplied from the flow passage. The flow passage includes (i) a fixed flow passage connected to the tank without following a movement of the carriage, (ii) a first flow passage that follows the movement of the carriage and is branched off from the fixed flow passage and connected to the recording head, and (iii) a second flow passage that follows the movement of the carriage and is branched off from the fixed flow passage and connected to the recording head. The valve is provided in one of the first and second flow passages and limits a flow of liquid from the tank to the recording head and allows liquid to flow from the recording head to the tank.