Liquid Discharge Head Backflow Control for Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circulation-type liquid discharge heads face challenges in effectively managing backflow and bubble discharge, leading to inefficiencies in liquid circulation and image formation.
Innovation Solution
The liquid discharge apparatus incorporates a nozzle plate with nozzles, individual liquid chambers, supply channels, and collecting channels, along with circuitry that sets a backflow-inducing discharge amount to reverse liquid flow in the collecting channel, ensuring efficient liquid circulation and bubble removal by storing this amount in memory and controlling the discharge to facilitate backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid is discharged from nozzles in a circulation-type liquid discharge head, then liquid circulation is maintained, but bubbles mix in the liquid and discharge performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes bubbles from the liquid circulation system through dedicated bubble discharge holes positioned in the liquid circulation passage. This separates the bubble removal function from the liquid circulation function, allowing liquid to circulate efficiently while bubbles are continuously extracted and discharged, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining liquid circulation and preventing discharge performance deterioration caused by bubble mixing.
2Productivity
If individual collecting channels are used to collect liquid, then liquid circulation is facilitated, but backflow management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by positioning bubble discharge holes at the upstream side of the individual collecting channels rather than at the downstream end. This reversal allows bubbles to be discharged before liquid backflow occurs, simplifying backflow management while maintaining efficient liquid circulation through the individual collecting channels.
3Productivity
If discharge amount is increased to improve circulation, then liquid flow increases, but backflow becomes more problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary bubble discharge through the bubble discharge holes positioned at the upstream side of the individual collecting channels before liquid backflow can occur. This preliminary action of removing bubbles and allowing controlled backflow of liquid without bubbles prevents the harmful effects of bubble-carrying backflow while maintaining high liquid flow rates for effective circulation.
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 enhances bubble discharge performance and maintains efficient liquid circulation, improving the overall operation of the liquid discharge apparatus by ensuring consistent liquid flow and effective bubble removal.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator to displace a diaphragm of the ink chamber and apply pressure to the ink in the ink chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head including a nozzle plate including at least one nozzle configured to discharge liquid; at least one individual liquid chamber respectively communicating with the at least one nozzle; at least one individual supply channel respectively communicating with the at least one individual liquid chamber; and at least one individual collecting channel respectively communicating with the at least one individual liquid chamber. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to store, in a memory, a backflow-inducing discharge amount at which the liquid in the individual collecting channel flows in a reverse direction toward the individual liquid chamber, in response to discharge of the liquid from the nozzle; and set a discharge amount from the nozzle equal to or greater than the backflow-inducing discharge amount, to cause the liquid to flow in the reverse direction in the individual collecting channel.