Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Circulating Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid stagnation in supply flow paths of liquid ejecting apparatuses leads to component settling, resulting in deteriorated image quality due to incomplete ink components being ejected.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a configuration that includes multiple supply flow paths and bypass flow paths, where the circulating flow path is formed by the supply and bypass flow paths, allowing for simple liquid circulation and preventing stagnation, using a controller to operate the flow paths and pump for effective ink circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid is supplied from storage unit to head unit through supply flow paths, then liquid is delivered to the ejection unit, but liquid stagnation occurs causing component settling
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path system is segmented into multiple supply flow paths (first, second, third supply flow paths) that connect different storage units to the head unit. This segmentation allows independent circulation control in each path, preventing stagnation in any single path while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A circulation pump is introduced as an intermediary component that actively circulates liquid through the supply flow paths. The pump acts as a mediator to maintain continuous flow, preventing stagnation and component settling without requiring complex structural modifications to the existing flow path configuration.
2Productivity
If multiple supply flow paths are used to supply liquid, then liquid distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow paths are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as alternative supply routes and as circulation pathways. During normal operation, they provide redundant supply paths; during circulation mode, they enable liquid to return from the head unit to storage units, eliminating the need for separate return lines and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the supply function and return function into a unified flow path system. The bypass flow paths serve dual purposes: supplying liquid during normal operation and enabling circulation during maintenance modes. This merging eliminates the need for separate circulation lines, reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If liquid circulates continuously to prevent settling, then image quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates the pump at scheduled intervals to circulate liquid through the supply flow paths, preventing component settling during periods of non-use. This periodic operation maintains ink component distribution while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-service circulation functionality where the control unit automatically manages pump operation based on detected conditions (e.g., idle periods, ink level). The circulation mechanism serves itself by detecting when circulation is needed and activating the pump accordingly, maintaining reliability without requiring constant external control or continuous energy input.
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
Prevents ink component settling by ensuring continuous ink circulation, maintaining image quality by ensuring all ink components are evenly distributed and used, even when switching between new and old ink lots.
Implementation Method 1
a pump; and a controller which circulates the liquid in a circulating flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a storage unit which stores liquid, a head unit which ejects the liquid onto a medium, a plurality of supply flow paths which supplies the liquid to the head unit from the storage unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths which straddles the supply flow paths which are different from each other, and a controller which circulates the liquid in a circulating flow path which is configured only by the supply flow path and the bypass flow path among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow path, and the bypass flow path.