Liquid Ejecting Head Nozzle Channel Mixing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording methods face challenges in effectively mixing multiple liquids on a recording target medium, leading to inadequate stirring and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head and apparatus that includes separate pressure chambers and drive elements for each liquid, with a nozzle channel for mixing, and a control device to adjust drive voltages for optimal mixing ratios, ensuring effective stirring and ejection of a mixture just before deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple liquids are mixed on a recording target medium, then the liquid composition can be formed for image creation, but the liquids cannot be sufficiently stirred and liquid performance is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by mixing the first liquid and second liquid in the nozzle channel before ejection. The mixing occurs in advance within the liquid ejection head, specifically in the nozzle channel where the liquids are combined and stirred by the pressure application process, ensuring proper mixing before the mixture is ejected onto the recording medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical stirring on the recording medium with a pressure-based mixing system within the liquid ejection head. Drive elements apply pressure to the liquids in separate pressure chambers, forcing them through the nozzle channel where they mix, substituting post-ejection mechanical mixing with pre-ejection pressure-driven mixing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If separate pressure chambers and drive elements are used for each liquid, then mixing can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first liquid and second liquid within the nozzle channel of the liquid ejection head. Both liquids are supplied through separate pressure chambers but are combined and mixed in the common nozzle channel before ejection, integrating the mixing function into the existing nozzle structure rather than requiring separate ejection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle channel serves multiple functions: it acts as a common passage for both the first liquid and second liquid, serves as a mixing chamber where the liquids are stirred and combined, and functions as the ejection pathway for the mixed liquid. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated mixing components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mixing is performed in the nozzle channel, then liquid performance is maintained, but precise control of mixing ratio becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors the mixing ratio of the first liquid and second liquid and adjusts the pressure application accordingly. By measuring or detecting the mixing ratio and providing feedback to the drive elements, the system can maintain the desired liquid composition and performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the mixing ratio by adjusting parameters such as the pressure applied to each liquid in the separate pressure chambers. By varying pressure parameters independently for each liquid stream, the system can precisely control the proportion of first liquid and second liquid in the mixture while maintaining optimal liquid performance.
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
The solution facilitates improved mixing and performance of the liquid mixture by adjusting drive voltages and heating to match viscosities, reducing the need for pre-mixing on the medium and enhancing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element serving as a drive element and applying pressure to liquid in a pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
a liquid composition containing a metal colloid and a reaction liquid containing an aggregating agent for aggregating the metal colloid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes: a first pressure chamber to which a first liquid is supplied; a first drive element that applies pressure to the first liquid in the first pressure chamber; a second pressure chamber to which a second liquid is supplied; a second drive element that applies pressure to the second liquid in the second pressure chamber; a nozzle channel which has one end communicating with the first pressure chamber and another end communicating with the second pressure chamber and in which the first liquid supplied from the first pressure chamber and the second liquid supplied from the second pressure chamber are mixed; and a nozzle that is provided in the nozzle channel and ejects a mixture of the first liquid and the second liquid.