Liquid Discharge Head Bidirectional Pump Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge heads, such as those in inkjet printers, face issues with foreign substances like air bubbles or aggregated coloring material affecting liquid discharge stability and supply performance, as previous solutions like separate pumps inside the channel do not effectively remove such substances due to unidirectional flow limitations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a liquid discharge head with two pumps, one on each side of the channel's midpoint, allowing for bidirectional liquid circulation within the pressure chamber, enabling better flow and removal of foreign substances by reversing the liquid flow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pump is arranged inside the channel to enable foreign substance flow, then liquid circulation is achieved, but foreign substances caught in curved portions do not sufficiently flow due to unidirectional flow limitation
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump is divided into two separate pumps (first pump and second pump) positioned at different locations within the channel. This segmentation allows the system to generate bidirectional flow by operating the pumps in different sequences, thereby improving foreign substance removal from curved portions while maintaining circulation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables reverse flow by operating the first and second pumps in alternating sequences. When the first pump operates, liquid flows in one direction; when the second pump operates, liquid flows in the opposite direction. This inversion capability allows foreign substances trapped in curved portions to be effectively flushed out regardless of their initial position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pump is arranged separately from the energy generating element, then foreign substance flow is enabled, but the pump cannot generate flow in multiple directions causing insufficient foreign substance removal
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping function is segmented into two separate pumps positioned at different locations within the channel. This allows the system to generate flow in multiple directions by operating the pumps in different sequences, thereby achieving both flow direction control and effective foreign substance removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different pump operating modes (first pump only, second pump only, or both pumps in sequence) to adapt to different flow requirements. This dynamic control enables bidirectional flow generation, improving both flow direction control and foreign substance removal effectiveness.
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 the flow of foreign substances within the channel, improving liquid discharge stability and supply performance by ensuring that substances caught in curved portions can be effectively removed, thereby maintaining consistent discharge direction and quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump and a second pump are arranged inside the channel, and liquid inside the pressure chamber is circulatable between inside and outside of the pressure chamber by the first pump or the second pump
Data Source
AI summary
In a liquid discharge head, a first pump and a second pump are arranged inside a channel, the channel includes a pressure chamber including an energy generating element, and liquid inside the pressure chamber is circulatable between inside and outside of the pressure chamber by the first pump or the second pump. The first pump is arranged on one side relative to a midpoint of the channel in an extending direction of the channel, and the second pump is arranged on another side relative to the midpoint of the channel in the extending direction of the channel.