Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Humidity Control and Waste Liquid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with humidity control, leading to paper creases or curls, and the drying of waste liquid in the ejection portion, which causes clogging and decreases processing efficiency due to the generation of moisture during dehumidification and the lack of effective water processing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a humidity adjustment portion that includes both dehumidification and humidification functions, connected to a waste liquid container to manage moisture, using a solenoid valve to control the flow of moisture and prevent drying of the waste liquid, thereby maintaining optimal humidity levels and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an electric dehumidification unit is used to adjust humidity, then paper curls are prevented, but moisture is generated during dehumidification that needs processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dehumidification function with the waste liquid storage function by connecting the dehumidification unit to the waste liquid container. The moisture generated during dehumidification is discharged into the waste liquid container, merging two separate functions (humidity control and waste liquid management) into a unified system that eliminates the need for separate moisture processing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste liquid container is given multiple functions: it stores waste liquid from the ejection head and simultaneously receives and stores moisture generated during dehumidification. This multi-functional design allows the same component to handle both liquid waste and humidity control byproducts, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Productivity
If waste liquid is stored in the waste liquid container, then cleaning efficiency is maintained, but liquid dries and causes clogging in the waste liquid flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces moisture as an intermediary substance that prevents the waste liquid from drying out. The moisture discharged from the dehumidification unit serves as a mediator that maintains the fluidity of waste liquid in the storage container and flow path, preventing solidification and clogging while allowing continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of moisture generation (which was previously a problem requiring separate processing) into a beneficial effect. The moisture that would otherwise need to be processed is now used to prevent waste liquid from drying and clogging the flow path, turning a potential harm into a useful function.
3Quantity of substance
If a dedicated water processing apparatus is provided, then moisture is processed, but the apparatus becomes large and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid container performs multiple functions: storing waste liquid, receiving moisture from dehumidification, and preventing clogging through moisture mixing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated water processing apparatus, keeping the system compact and simple while still handling moisture effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the moisture processing function with the waste liquid storage function. Instead of having separate systems for dehumidification and waste liquid management, the moisture discharge path is integrated into the waste liquid container, combining what would traditionally be separate processing streams into a single unified 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
The apparatus effectively reduces paper creases and curls by adjusting humidity inside the housing and prevents clogging in the waste liquid flow path by mixing moisture with waste liquid, ensuring efficient processing and storage of waste liquid without solidification.
Implementation Method 1
a dehumidification portion that dehumidifies inside the housing
Implementation Method 2
a humidification portion that humidifies inside the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: an ejection portion that ejects liquid onto a medium; a waste liquid container having a container that is configured to store a waste liquid discharged from the ejection portion; a housing that houses the ejection portion; and a humidity adjustment portion that adjusts humidity inside the housing. The waste liquid container is configured to store moisture discharged from the humidity adjustment portion.