Liquid Discharge Apparatus Volume Control for Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face issues with liquid leakage and air suction due to variations in flow-channel resistance, which are not effectively addressed by shifting the inner wall surface of the liquid flow channel.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus with a controller that adjusts the volume of the liquid chamber and flow channel by shifting the inner wall surface, using a valve to control flow-channel resistance, ensuring the volume change in the liquid chamber is equal to or greater than the liquid flowing in or out, thereby preventing leakage and air suction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inner wall surface of the flow channel is shifted to decrease the sectional area and increase flow-channel resistance, then the liquid flow control is improved, but liquid leakage from nozzles occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid flow controlVSAvoidliquid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid chamber volume is increased in advance before the flow channel sectional area is decreased, so that when the flow channel resistance increases and liquid flows back into the chamber, the chamber has sufficient capacity to accommodate the liquid without causing leakage from nozzles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By pre-increasing the liquid chamber volume, the system creates a buffer capacity that cushions against the harmful effect of liquid backflow caused by increased flow channel resistance, preventing liquid leakage while maintaining flow control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the inner wall surface of the flow channel is shifted to increase the sectional area and decrease flow-channel resistance, then the liquid flow is improved, but external air is suctioned in from nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid flowVSAvoidair suction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid chamber volume is decreased in advance before the flow channel sectional area is increased, so that when the flow channel resistance decreases and liquid flows out to the channel, the chamber has sufficient capacity to prevent air suction while maintaining liquid flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By pre-decreasing the liquid chamber volume, the system creates a buffer that prevents air suction during the phase when flow channel resistance is decreased and liquid is flowing outward, while still allowing adequate liquid flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Speed

If the volume of the liquid chamber is changed rapidly to improve response speed, then the liquid discharge efficiency is improved, but liquid leakage or air suction occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidliquid discharge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid chamber volume is changed in a predetermined sequence and timing relationship with the flow channel sectional area changes, ensuring that the chamber volume is adjusted before the flow channel resistance changes occur, thereby preventing liquid leakage or air suction while maintaining rapid response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors and coordinates the volume changes of the liquid chamber and sectional area changes of the flow channel, using feedback control to ensure proper timing and prevent harmful effects like liquid leakage or air suction while maintaining rapid response speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 apparatus effectively suppresses liquid leakage and air suction by precisely controlling the volume changes in the liquid chamber and flow channel, ensuring efficient liquid discharge and minimizing external air entry.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid chamber driving unit that changes a volume of the liquid chamber so as to discharge the liquid from the nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolume change mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

a valve that changes flow-channel resistance of the flow channel so as to control flow of the liquid between the liquid chamber and the flow channel, by shifting an inner wall surface of the flow channel so as to change a volume of the flow channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow-channel resistance control:

Data Source

PatentUS10343400B2Liquid discharge apparatus and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a liquid-chamber that communicates with a nozzle and a flow-chapel; a liquid chamber driving unit that changes a volume of the liquid-chamber; and a valve that changes a volume of the flow-channel. At least one of first control of increasing the volume of the liquid-chamber, such that a change amount of the volume of the liquid-chamber is equal to or larger than a volume of the liquid flowing from the flow-channel into the liquid-chamber due to the decrease in volume of the flow-channel by the valve, and second control of decreasing the volume of the liquid-chamber, such that a change amount of the volume of the liquid-chamber is equal to or larger than a volume of the liquid flowing from the liquid-chamber out to the flow-channel due to the increase in volume of the flow-channel by the valve, is executed.