Liquid Ejecting System Buffer Mechanisms for Pressure Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting systems face challenges in controlling pressure changes, such as pulsation, in the circulating system, which affects the stability of ink supply and recovery in ink jet recording systems.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a supply channel with a pressurizing section and a first buffer mechanism, and a recovery channel with a decompression section and a second buffer mechanism, allowing for adjustable buffer capacities to stabilize pressure changes, using sensors to detect and control buffer capacities to maintain consistent ink supply and recovery pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure control is implemented based on ink pressure detection, then ink supply pressure can be regulated, but the system cannot respond to pulsation and rapid pressure changes in the circulating system
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer mechanism is positioned upstream in the supply channel and downstream in the recovery channel to preemptively absorb pressure fluctuations before they reach the ink ejecting head. This preliminary action prevents pulsation from affecting the ink ejection process, resolving the contradiction between maintaining stable pressure and responding rapidly to pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer mechanism acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and dampens pressure pulsations generated by the circulating system. By providing this beforehand cushioning, the system can maintain stable ink supply pressure even when the pump generates rapid pressure changes, thus improving reliability without sacrificing response speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed buffer capacity is used in the supply and recovery channels, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying pressure conditions and pulsation
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer mechanism employs a flexible diaphragm that dynamically adjusts the buffer capacity based on pressure conditions. When pressure increases, the diaphragm deforms to reduce buffer capacity; when pressure decreases, the diaphragm returns to its original shape, increasing buffer capacity. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle varying pressure conditions without complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer capacity parameter is made variable through the flexible diaphragm design. The diaphragm's deformation under different pressure conditions changes the effective volume of the buffer chamber, allowing the system to adapt to varying pressure requirements. This parameter change approach provides adaptability while maintaining relatively simple structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional pressure control valves are added to stabilize pressure, then pressure control precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer mechanism with flexible diaphragm provides self-regulating pressure stabilization without requiring external control valves or complex control systems. The diaphragm automatically adjusts the buffer capacity in response to pressure changes, enabling the system to stabilize pressure through its own structure rather than additional control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the pressure stabilization function from the control system and integrates it directly into the fluid pathway through the buffer mechanism. By taking out the need for separate pressure control valves and incorporating the stabilization function into the channel structure itself, the system achieves pressure control precision without increasing device complexity.
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 enables stable pressure control, reducing ink leakage and maintaining negative pressure in nozzles, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of ink circulation and reducing the need for additional pressure control valves.
Implementation Method 1
The first buffer mechanism is configured to increase a buffer capacity as the supply channel is pressurized
Implementation Method 2
The second buffer mechanism is configured to reduce a buffer capacity as the recovery channel is decompressed
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting system includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle ejecting liquid, a supply channel communicating with the nozzle, and a recovery channel communicated with the nozzle, and circulates the liquid in the liquid ejecting head through the supply channel and the recovery channel. The supply channel includes a pressurizing section and a first buffer mechanism disposed between the nozzle and the pressurizing section. The recovery channel includes a decompression section and a second buffer mechanism disposed between the nozzle and the decompression section. The first buffer mechanism is configured to increase a buffer capacity as the supply channel is pressurized. The second buffer mechanism is configured to reduce a buffer capacity as the recovery channel is decompressed.