Liquid Circulation Control for Stable Inkjet Head Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing devices face challenges in efficiently controlling liquid discharge, preventing waste, and efficiently replacing liquid, with issues such as pulsation and pressure fluctuations affecting the discharge head performance.
Innovation Solution
A circulation device with a configuration that includes a tank, discharge and suction pumps, proportional valves, and a heater, along with a robotic arm for precise positioning, which controls liquid flow and suppresses pulsation by using proportional valves to stabilize pressure and flow rates, and a control method to manage pressure changes during discharge completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If liquid is discharged from nozzles during maintenance, then liquid waste is prevented, but pressure fluctuations occur in the circulation path
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer unit is introduced as an intermediary component in the circulation path. This buffer unit absorbs pressure fluctuations generated during liquid discharge operations, preventing them from propagating through the entire circulation system. The buffer unit acts as a mediator between the discharge operation and the rest of the liquid circulation system, maintaining pressure stability while allowing liquid waste prevention.
2Productivity
If pressure is increased to improve liquid discharge, then discharge efficiency improves, but pulsation increases affecting discharge head performance
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer unit serves as an intermediary that decouples the high-pressure discharge operation from the circulation system. It allows pressure to be increased for efficient liquid discharge while absorbing the resulting pulsations, preventing them from affecting discharge head performance. The buffer unit mediates between the need for high discharge efficiency and the need to minimize harmful pulsation effects.
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 device effectively stabilizes liquid discharge, reduces pulsation, and prevents non-discharge or leakage by managing pressure and flow dynamics, ensuring consistent and efficient operation of the discharge head.
Implementation Method 1
a heater 206 that heats the liquid
Implementation Method 2
proportional valves to stabilize pressure and flow rates
Data Source
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AI summary
A circulation device according to an aspect includes a storage unit for storing liquid and a liquid droplet discharge unit for discharging liquid, and controls circulation of liquid flowing through a channel communicating the storage unit and the liquid droplet discharge unit with each other. Such a circulation device includes a robotic portion, a first pressure applying portion, a second pressure applying portion, a first valve portion, and a second valve portion. The robotic portion is mounted with the liquid droplet discharge unit. The first pressure applying portion feeds the liquid stored in the storage unit to the liquid droplet discharge unit through a first channel communicating the storage unit and the liquid droplet discharge unit with each other. The second pressure applying portion feeds the liquid recovered in the liquid droplet discharge unit to the storage unit through a second channel communicating the storage unit and the liquid droplet discharge unit with each other. The first valve portion is interposed between the first pressure applying portion and the liquid droplet discharge unit. The second valve portion is interposed between the second pressure applying portion and the liquid droplet discharge unit.