Liquid Discharge Apparatus Nozzle Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet type recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining discharge performance due to increased viscosity of ink in communication channels, which leads to water hammer phenomenon and reduced ink flow, as flushing operations consume less ink than purge operations but are insufficient to prevent viscosity increase and bubble stagnation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a discharge control mechanism that differentiates the discharge mode between first and second nozzle groups to generate a flow in the communication channel during flushing operations, utilizing the flushing operation's lower ink consumption to move ink and prevent bubble stagnation without increasing overall ink usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flushing operation is performed frequently to maintain ink flow, then the discharge performance is improved, but the ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzles are divided into first nozzle group and second nozzle group with different discharge modes. The first nozzle group discharges in a first discharge mode while the second nozzle group discharges in a second discharge mode, creating differential flow patterns that generate flow in the communication channel without requiring frequent purge operations
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing operation is performed periodically by alternating discharge modes between the first and second nozzle groups. This periodic differentiation creates flow in the communication channel that prevents ink stagnation and bubble accumulation, maintaining discharge performance without continuous ink consumption
2Reliability
If the purge operation is performed frequently to discharge viscous ink, then the discharge performance is maintained, but the ink consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The communication channel is designed with a preliminary flow-generating mechanism through the differentiated discharge modes of the first and second nozzle groups. This preliminary action creates flow in the communication channel before viscosity problems occur, preventing the need for frequent purge operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operating characteristics (the flushing operation with differentiated nozzle groups) to serve the additional function of maintaining ink flow in the communication channel. The same flushing operation that maintains nozzle performance also prevents viscosity increase in the communication channel, eliminating the need for separate purge operations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the communication channel is provided to mitigate water hammer phenomenon, then the pressure wave transmission is reduced, but the ink stagnation and viscosity increase occur in the communication channel
Solution Approach 1:
The communication channel transitions from a static dead-end configuration to a dynamic flow-through configuration. By making the terminal end communicate with the common chamber and using differentiated discharge modes, the channel becomes dynamically active during flushing operations, preventing ink stagnation while maintaining its water hammer mitigation function
Solution Approach 2:
The communication channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it mitigates the water hammer phenomenon by providing an alternative pressure wave path, and it maintains ink flow to prevent viscosity increase and bubble accumulation. The differentiated discharge modes enable the same structure to fulfill both functions without requiring separate systems
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 approach effectively maintains discharge performance by utilizing the flushing operation to move ink and prevent viscosity increases and bubble stagnation in the communication channel, reducing unnecessary ink consumption and mitigating the water hammer phenomenon.
Implementation Method 1
the discharge control mechanism controls the liquid discharge head to perform a flushing operation, as the discharge operation, so that the liquid is discharged from the first nozzle group in a discharge mode, which is different from a discharge mode of a second nozzle group, to generate a flow of the liquid in the communication channel
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including a liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles; a common chamber; a liquid chamber; a liquid supply port; and a communication channel; and a discharge control mechanism which controls the liquid discharge head to perform a discharge operation of discharging the liquid from the nozzles to the medium. The discharge control mechanism controls the liquid discharge head to perform a flushing operation, as the discharge operation, so that the liquid is discharged from a first nozzle group in a discharge mode, which is different from a discharge mode of a second nozzle group, to generate a flow of the liquid in the communication channel.