Liquid Discharge Apparatus Heating Member Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in controlling the temperature and viscosity of liquids as they move from the reservoir to the nozzles, leading to potential increases in viscosity due to temperature lowering.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus where a heating member contacts the discharging member between the nozzle opening and individual electrodes, heating the liquid in the vicinity of the electrodes to adjust temperature and viscosity effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the liquid is transported from the reservoir to the nozzles through the common channel, then the liquid can be supplied to multiple nozzles, but the temperature of the liquid is lowered and viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating member heats the liquid in advance within the pressure chamber, before the liquid is discharged from the nozzle. This preliminary heating action ensures that the liquid maintains appropriate temperature and viscosity during the transport through the common channel and at the moment of discharge, resolving the contradiction between efficient liquid supply and temperature maintenance.
2Temperature
If the heating member is positioned to heat the liquid effectively, then temperature control is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heating member is integrated directly into the pressure chamber structure, merging the heating function with the liquid storage and pressure control function. This integration eliminates the need for separate heating components and complex thermal management systems, achieving effective temperature control while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating member is positioned to heat the liquid locally within the pressure chamber, specifically where the liquid is stored before discharge. This localized heating approach achieves effective temperature control at the critical point without requiring complex system-wide thermal management, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
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 solution allows for precise control of the temperature and viscosity of the liquid discharged from the nozzles, ensuring optimal printing performance by maintaining the liquid's properties throughout the discharge process.
Implementation Method 1
the heating member heats heat the liquid in the vicinity of the individual electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a discharging member including a plurality of individual electrodes arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of individual channels arranged side by side in the first direction, a plurality of nozzles arranged side by side in the first direction, a common channel communicating with the plurality of individual channels, and an opening communicating with the common channel; and a heating member at least a part of which makes contact with the discharging member. An individual electrode, included in the plurality of individual electrodes and located at an end in the first direction, and the opening are apart from each other in the first direction. At least the part of the heating member is a part making contact with the discharging member, at a location between the opening and the individual electrode located at the end in the first direction.