Liquid Ejecting Head Stirrer Ribs for Ink Sedimentation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, prolonged retention of liquid in nozzles can lead to sedimentation of colorants in the channels, causing uneven ink concentration and potential image quality deterioration.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting head incorporates a feed channel with a stirrer featuring first and second ribs, which guide the liquid flow to prevent sedimentation by ensuring efficient mixing and distribution of ink components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If liquid is retained in the nozzles for a long period of time, then the liquid ejecting apparatus can maintain ready-to-eject status, but sedimentation of colorants occurs in the channels causing uneven ink concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrer is designed to activate before liquid ejection begins, performing preliminary mixing action to prevent colorant sedimentation from occurring in the first place during the retention period
Solution Approach 2:
The stirrer operates periodically or continuously during liquid retention to maintain uniform ink concentration, counteracting the natural tendency toward sedimentation over time
2Stability of the object's composition
If a stirrer is added to prevent sedimentation, then ink concentration uniformity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrer is placed locally within the feed channel at the position where sedimentation is most likely to occur, providing mixing action only where needed rather than throughout the entire liquid path
Solution Approach 2:
The rib configuration parameters (height, spacing, angle) are optimized to achieve effective mixing with minimal structural complexity, balancing performance and simplicity
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 solution effectively reduces the likelihood of sedimentation and maintains even ink concentration, thereby enhancing image quality and minimizing the need for unnecessary cleaning and liquid consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one first rib has a first guide face by which a flow of the liquid in the first region is guided into the second region. The at least one second rib has a second guide face by which a flow of the liquid in the second region is guided into the first region.
Implementation Method 2
A first tip of the first guide face and a second tip of the second guide face intersect each other when viewed in a direction in which the first region and the second region are aligned.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes nozzles and a feed channel through which an inlet communicates with an outlet. The feed channel is provided with a stirrer including a first-rib and a second-rib facing each other. The stirrer in a cross section perpendicular to a direction in which the stirrer extends includes a first-region where the first-rib is disposed and a second-region where the second-rib is disposed. The first-rib has a first-guide face by which a flow of the liquid in the first-region is guided into the second-region. The second-rib has a second-guide face by which a flow of the liquid in the second-region is guided into the first-region. A first-tip of the first-guide face and a second-tip of the second-guide face intersect each other when viewed in a direction in which the first-region and the second-region are aligned.