Liquid Discharging Apparatus Atmosphere Communication Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharging apparatuses face challenges in reliably drawing air into the reservoir section when needed, which can disrupt the steady supply of liquid to the head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharging apparatus is designed with a head, a reservoir section, a liquid flow path, a switching assembly, and a controller. The apparatus includes an atmosphere communication path that can switch between connecting and disconnecting states, allowing for controlled air intake into the reservoir section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deformable valve piece is used to maintain negative pressure in the reservoir section, then the negative pressure can be maintained within a preferable range, but the valve piece form becomes complicated and it becomes difficult to reliably draw air into the reservoir section when required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air intake function from the complex deformable valve piece system and implements it through a simpler mechanism. The reservoir section is designed with a communication path to the external atmosphere that can be opened or closed by a simple valve operation, separating the negative pressure maintenance function (handled by the liquid level and valve assembly) from the air intake function (handled by the communication path), thereby simplifying the overall valve structure while ensuring reliable air intake when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prepares the air intake path in advance by designing a pre-established communication path between the reservoir section and the external atmosphere. This communication path is kept ready but controlled by the valve, allowing air to be drawn into the reservoir section immediately when the valve opens, without requiring complex deformable structures or additional preparation steps.
2Reliability
If the valve piece separates from the valve seat due to increased negative pressure, then air can be drawn into the reservoir section, but the liquid supply to the head may become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the valve operation is controlled based on the liquid level in the reservoir section. When the liquid level decreases (indicating sufficient air intake opportunity), the valve opens to allow air in; when the liquid level increases (indicating stable liquid supply conditions), the valve closes. This feedback-based control ensures that air intake and liquid supply stability are coordinated, preventing instability while maintaining reliable air intake capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the liquid level as an intermediary parameter that mediates between air intake and liquid supply stability. The valve operation is not directly triggered by pressure changes alone, but by the liquid level position, which serves as an intermediate indicator of system state. This intermediary mechanism ensures that air intake occurs at appropriate moments without disrupting liquid supply stability to the head.
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 ensures reliable air intake into the reservoir section, maintaining optimal negative pressure and ensuring a steady supply of liquid to the head, thereby improving the apparatus's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
In order to maintain negative pressure in the reservoir section within a preferable range
Implementation Method 2
The liquid flow path connects the head with the liquid reservoir chamber for the liquid to flow therein
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharging apparatus, having a head, a reservoir section including a liquid reservoir chamber and an atmosphere communication path, a liquid flow path connecting the head with the liquid reservoir chamber, a switching assembly to switch states of the atmosphere communication path between a connecting state and a disconnecting state, and a controller, is provided. The controller is configured to control the switching assembly to switch the states of the atmosphere communication path from the connecting state to the disconnecting state; after switching the states of the atmosphere communication path, control the head to discharge the liquid; and after switching the states of the atmosphere communication path, and in response to a predetermined connection condition being satisfied, control the switching assembly to switch the states of the atmosphere communication path from the disconnecting state to the connecting state.