Liquid Ejecting Head Filter Clogging Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting heads face issues with filter clogging due to dust and air bubbles, leading to reduced liquid supply and ejection failures, necessitating a method to detect the degree of clogging effectively.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head design with a common liquid chamber partitioned into upstream and downstream chambers by a filter, featuring a flexible member and a detection section to monitor the position of the flexible member during pressure applying operations, allowing estimation of filter clogging based on positional changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is provided in the liquid ejecting head to remove foreign matters, then the liquid ejection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the filter may become clogged with foreign matter causing ejection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the filter clogging state before it causes ejection failure. The detection section monitors the flexible member position to identify clogging conditions in advance, allowing maintenance to be performed before the filter completely blocks liquid flow, thus preventing ejection failure while maintaining the filter's protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the detection section to continuously monitor the position of the flexible member and provide information about the filter clogging state back to the control system. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring of filter condition, allowing the system to adjust operations or alert users when maintenance is needed, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring complex manual inspection procedures.
2Reliability
If a filter is provided in the liquid ejecting head, then foreign matter removal is improved, but the filter may be clogged with dust and air bubbles causing liquid supply failure
Solution Approach 1:
The detection section detects the position of the flexible member before complete clogging occurs. By monitoring changes in flexible member position caused by pressure differences, the system can identify when the filter is becoming clogged with dust and air bubbles and alert users to perform maintenance before liquid supply completely fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member acts as an intermediary element that translates the pressure differential caused by filter clogging into a detectable position change. This intermediary mechanism allows indirect detection of filter clogging status without requiring direct contact with the filter or complex sensing mechanisms within the liquid flow path.
3Measurement precision
If a detection section is added to monitor filter clogging, then the ability to detect clogging is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member serves as an intermediary that converts the complex filter clogging condition into a simple position change that can be easily detected. This approach allows precise clogging detection without requiring complex sensors or measurement systems, as the flexible member's displacement directly reflects the pressure differential caused by clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic or optical sensing systems with a simpler mechanical detection approach. By monitoring the physical position of the flexible member, the system achieves reliable clogging detection through basic mechanical measurement rather than complex sensor arrays, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If pressure is applied to the common liquid chamber to detect flexible member position, then the clogging detection accuracy is improved, but the liquid pressure increases which may affect ejection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The detection section operates periodically by applying pressure to the common liquid chamber at specific intervals rather than continuously. This periodic pressure application allows the system to monitor flexible member position at discrete time points, achieving sufficient clogging detection accuracy without maintaining constant high pressure that would adversely affect ejection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies pressure only to the extent necessary for detection purposes rather than maintaining full operating pressure continuously. By using partial pressure application during detection cycles, the system achieves accurate flexible member position measurement while minimizing the impact on normal ejection operations, applying pressure only when needed for monitoring rather than throughout all operations.
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
Accurately detects filter clogging, preventing unexpected ejection failures by predicting and warning of impending issues, enabling planned maintenance and extending the life of the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member that defines the downstream chamber of the common liquid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes nozzles, a common liquid chamber communicating with the nozzles, a filter partitioning the common liquid chamber into an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber, a flexible member defining the downstream chamber of the common liquid chamber, and a detection section configured to detect a position of the flexible member. The flexible member disposed between the downstream chamber and the detection section.