Liquid Discharge Apparatus Negative Pressure Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in maintaining stable negative pressure within the head to prevent liquid leakage, particularly due to fluctuations caused by impacts and differences in density between gas and liquid, leading to complex configurations and instability.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a first reservoir storing the liquid and a second reservoir storing an operation liquid, where the operation liquid is positioned below the discharge port surface, and an adjustment unit maintains the liquid surface within a predetermined range to stabilize negative pressure, using a flexible member to separate the reservoirs and an incompressible operation liquid with density close to the ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a float bag filled with gas is used to maintain negative pressure, then the pressure in the head can be maintained, but the configuration becomes complex and the float bag rocks greatly when impact is applied, causing pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state of the buoyancy force generating chamber from gas-filled to liquid-filled. By filling the chamber with liquid having density close to the ink, the system eliminates the rocking motion of gas-filled float bags while maintaining negative pressure stability. This parameter change (from gas to liquid) resolves the contradiction between pressure stability and configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple liquid-filled chamber configuration that replaces complex float bag mechanisms. The liquid-filled chamber can be easily manufactured and replaced, eliminating the need for complex sealed float bag assemblies while achieving the same pressure maintenance function.
2Reliability
If a float bag filled with gas is used to maintain negative pressure, then the pressure in the head can be maintained, but the float bag rocks greatly when impact is applied, causing pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the medium from gas to liquid in the buoyancy force generating chamber. Liquid has higher density and incompressibility compared to gas, which eliminates the rocking motion caused by impact. This parameter change directly reduces impact sensitivity while maintaining pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-filled chamber acts as a cushioning medium that absorbs impact energy before it can cause pressure fluctuations. The incompressible liquid absorbs shock waves and prevents them from propagating to the head, thereby protecting against impact-induced pressure instability.
3Stress or pressure
If gas is used in the buoyancy force generating chamber, then negative pressure can be maintained, but the difference in density between gas and liquid causes great rocking when impact is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the buoyancy medium from gas (low density) to liquid (high density). By selecting liquid with density close to the ink, the system achieves both negative pressure maintenance and density stability, eliminating the rocking motion caused by density differences during impact.
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 effectively suppresses liquid leakage from the head and maintains stable negative pressure, even under impact and temperature fluctuations, by using an incompressible operation liquid with density similar to the ink, ensuring consistent discharge performance.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member, separating an inner space of the first reservoir into a first chamber that stores the liquid and a second chamber that stores an operation liquid
Implementation Method 2
using an incompressible operation liquid with density close to the ink
Implementation Method 3
a second reservoir communicating with the second chamber, the second reservoir storing the operation liquid to be supplied to the second chamber, the second reservoir being disposed in such a manner that a liquid surface of the operation liquid stored in the second reservoir is positioned below the discharge port surface
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus comprises a head including a discharge port surface, a first reservoir that stores the liquid to be supplied to the head, a flexible member, separating an inner space of the first reservoir into a first chamber that stores the liquid and a second chamber that stores an operation liquid, a second reservoir communicating with the second chamber, the second reservoir storing the operation liquid to be supplied to the second chamber, the second reservoir being disposed in such a manner that a liquid surface of the operation liquid stored in the second reservoir is positioned below the discharge port surface, and an adjustment unit that performs adjustment in such a manner that a position of the liquid surface of the operation liquid in the second reservoir falls within a predetermined range in a state where the second reservoir is opened to atmosphere.