Liquid Circulation Device with Separate Bubble Discharge Channel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid discharge apparatuses face discharge failures due to bubbles entering the liquid discharge head, which existing circulation systems struggle to effectively address by removing gas from the liquid.

Innovation Solution

A novel liquid circulation apparatus with separate bubble-discharging channels and manifolds is introduced, allowing for efficient bubble removal from the liquid circulation system, preventing bubble obstruction and maintaining liquid flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a circulation-type liquid discharge head is used to remove gas from liquid, then discharge reliability is improved, but bubbles still accumulate in the liquid circulation system causing discharge failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge reliabilityVSAvoidbubble accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid circulation system is segmented into separate functional channels: a liquid circulation channel for transporting liquid and a dedicated bubble discharge channel for removing bubbles. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, enabling effective bubble removal without interfering with liquid circulation and discharge operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Bubbles are extracted from the liquid circulation system through a dedicated bubble discharge channel that connects to the liquid supply manifold. This extraction mechanism removes the harmful factor (bubbles) from the system before they can accumulate and cause discharge failures, while the main liquid circulation path remains unaffected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If liquid circulation is implemented through discharge heads, then liquid flow is maintained, but bubbles enter the discharge head causing discharge failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid flow rateVSAvoiddischarge success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Bubbles are removed from the liquid in advance through the bubble discharge channel connected to the liquid supply manifold, before the liquid reaches the discharge heads. This preliminary action prevents bubbles from entering the discharge heads and causing discharge failures, ensuring high discharge success rates while maintaining continuous liquid flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bubble discharge channel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the liquid supply manifold and the discharge heads. It provides a separate pathway for bubble removal that mediates the interaction between liquid circulation and bubble accumulation, allowing both functions to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If separate bubble-discharging channels are introduced, then bubble removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble discharge efficiencyVSAvoidchannel configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid supply manifold serves multiple functions: it distributes liquid to discharge heads through the liquid circulation channel and simultaneously collects bubbles for removal through the bubble discharge channel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining effective bubble removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively reduces liquid leakage from nozzles and ensures efficient bubble discharge, maintaining liquid flow rates and preventing bubble dissolution in the system, thereby enhancing the reliability of liquid discharge operations.

Implementation Method 1

a bubble-discharging channel separate from the discharging channel to discharge bubbles in the second manifold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS10173436B2Liquid circulation device and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a liquid circulation apparatus for circulating liquid through a plurality of discharge heads that includes discharge nozzles. The liquid circulation apparatus includes a liquid circulating channel to circulate the liquid via the plurality of discharge heads, a first manifold connected to each supply port of the plurality of discharge heads, a second manifold connected to each discharge port of the plurality of discharge heads, a discharging channel to discharge the liquid in the second manifold, and a bubble-discharging channel separate from the discharging channel, to discharge bubbles in the second manifold.