Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Circulation Passages Ink Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges in maintaining consistent ink temperature during movement, leading to viscosity issues and potential discharge failures when using high-viscosity inks, as the ink temperature decreases due to air impact on the ink jet head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with circulation passages that heat the ink before re-supplying it to the ink jet head, including a configuration where circulation passages are positioned on the outer sides of other flow passages to retain heat and switch flow directions based on the ink jet head's movement, ensuring stable temperature delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ink jet head moves during printing, then printing coverage and productivity are improved, but the ink temperature decreases due to air impact causing viscosity increase and discharge failures
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation passage pre-heats the ink before it reaches the ink jet head by circulating it through a heating portion in advance, preventing temperature decrease caused by air impact during movement
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation passage acts as an intermediary system between the ink source and the ink jet head, using a heating portion to mediate temperature control and protect the ink from harmful air impact effects
2Temperature
If a heating system is added to maintain ink temperature, then ink temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation passage serves multiple functions: it circulates ink, pre-heats the ink before it reaches the jet head, and prevents temperature decrease during movement, reducing the need for separate heating systems at the head
3Temperature
If circulation passages are positioned on outer sides of flow passages, then heat retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation passages are specifically positioned on the outer sides where heat retention is most beneficial, creating a localized thermal environment that protects ink temperature without requiring complex insulation throughout the entire system
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 stabilizes the ink temperature even during movement, preventing viscosity increases and ensuring reliable ink discharge from the nozzles, thereby enhancing printing quality and preventing discharge failures.
Implementation Method 1
a heating portion which heats the liquid in the liquid flow passages
Implementation Method 2
circulation passages where at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is circulated to upstream of the heating portion by being discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having nozzles that eject a liquid; a plurality of liquid flow passages where the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head flows; and a heating portion that heats the liquid in the liquid flow passages, in which the liquid flow passages include circulation passages where at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is circulated to upstream of the heating portion by being discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the nozzles; and non-circulation passages where the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is not able to be circulated to upstream of the heating portion by being discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the nozzles, and in which the circulation passages are disposed at outer sides of the other liquid flow passages.