Liquid Ejection Chamber Filling to Prevent Air-Bubble Entrapment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with air bubbles getting trapped between a filter and a beam portion due to the circulation operation during the filling process, which can disrupt the flow of liquid.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a common liquid chamber partitioned by a filter into upstream and downstream chambers, with a beam portion coupling inner walls that are separated in a direction orthogonal to the ejection direction, and performs a pressurization discharge operation followed by a circulation operation to fill and circulate the liquid through the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a circulation operation is performed to fill the circulation path with liquid, then the liquid can be circulated through the system, but air bubbles may get trapped between the filter and the beam portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the pressurization discharge operation before the circulation operation. The pressurization discharge operation pre-flushes the circulation path and removes air bubbles that would otherwise be trapped during the subsequent circulation operation. This sequence ensures that the circulation path is properly filled with liquid while preventing air bubble entrapment between the filter and beam portion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the beam portion is provided inside the downstream chamber to couple inner walls, then the chamber structure is stabilized, but air bubbles may remain in the region between the filter and the beam portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by executing the pressurization discharge operation before the circulation operation. This preliminary pressurization phase creates a flow that pre-flushes the region between the filter and beam portion, removing air bubbles before the circulation operation begins. The beam portion structure remains in place to provide stability, while the operational sequence prevents air bubble accumulation in the region it creates.
3Productivity
If the circulation operation is performed first to fill the path with liquid, then the liquid can be circulated, but air bubbles are more likely to be generated and trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reversing the conventional sequence and performing the pressurization discharge operation before the circulation operation. This preliminary pressurization phase quickly fills the circulation path with liquid while the subsequent circulation operation maintains this filled state without generating trapped air bubbles. This sequence achieves efficient filling while preventing air bubble formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional operational sequence by performing the pressurization discharge operation before the circulation operation rather than after. This inversion allows the system to achieve proper liquid filling and air bubble removal more effectively, preventing air bubble entrapment while maintaining high productivity in the filling process.
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 prevents air bubbles from forming and ensures smooth liquid flow, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the liquid ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurization discharge operation for discharging the liquid from the plurality of nozzles by pressurizing the supply flow path
Implementation Method 2
a circulation operation for circulating the liquid in a circulation path including the liquid storage section, the supply flow path, the common liquid chamber, and the recovery flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a common liquid chamber communicating with nozzles, a filter partitioning the common liquid chamber into an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber, an inlet and an outlet for the upstream chamber, a liquid storage section, a supply flow path, and a recovery flow path. A beam portion is provided inside the downstream chamber. A pressurization discharge operation for discharging the liquid from the nozzles by pressurizing the supply flow path and a circulation operation for circulating the liquid in a circulation path including the liquid storage section, the supply flow path, the common liquid chamber, and the recovery flow path, are performed. In a process of filling the circulation path with the liquid, the circulation operation is performed after the pressurization discharge operation is performed.