Liquid Discharge Apparatus Circulation Flow Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in maintaining stability and performance due to variations in liquid viscosity and particle size, leading to deteriorated liquid discharge operations as they do not adequately adjust circulation flow rates based on these parameters.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a control device that adjusts the circulation flow rate of the liquid in the discharge head according to the viscosity and particle size of the liquid, specifically setting different flow rates for liquids with varying viscosities and particle sizes to maintain optimal particle existence probability and prevent thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the circulation flow rate is increased to improve liquid discharge stability, then the discharge stability is improved, but the liquid performance deteriorates due to not considering physical characteristics of the discharged liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation flow rate is made dynamically adjustable based on the physical characteristics (viscosity and particle size) of the liquid. The system transitions from a fixed circulation rate to a variable circulation rate that adapts to different liquid types, resolving the contradiction between maintaining discharge stability and preserving liquid performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the circulation flow rate parameter according to the viscosity and particle size parameters of the liquid. By adjusting the circulation flow rate to match the physical characteristics of different liquids, the system maintains both discharge stability and liquid performance without deterioration.
2Device complexity
If a fixed circulation flow rate is used to simplify control, then the control system is simpler, but the particle existence probability decreases and thickening occurs for liquids with different viscosities and particle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives information about the liquid's viscosity and particle size, then adjusts the circulation flow rate accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the circulation flow rate is optimized for each liquid type, maintaining high particle existence probability and preventing thickening while managing control complexity through automated adjustment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the circulation flow rate is increased to prevent thickening, then thickening is prevented, but the particle existence probability decreases for liquids with larger particle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the circulation flow rate parameter based on particle size characteristics. For liquids with larger particle sizes, the system optimizes the circulation flow rate to maintain both liquid homogeneity (prevent thickening) and high particle existence probability, rather than using a universally high circulation rate that would harm particle existence.
Data Source
AI summary
When a first liquid containing the particles whose particle size average value is a first particle size is supplied to the liquid discharge head, the control device controls the circulation mechanism so that a circulation flow rate of the first liquid in the supply flow path, the nozzle flow path, and the discharge flow path is a first flow rate. When a second liquid containing the particles whose particle size average value is a second particle size larger than the first particle size is supplied to the liquid discharge head, the control device controls the circulation mechanism so that the circulation flow rate of the second liquid is a second flow rate lower than the first flow rate.