Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Using Hydraulic Head for Stable Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face complexity and instability in maintaining stable head discharging due to complications in pressure mechanisms and control requirements, particularly during operations like pressure wiping.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus is designed with a configuration that includes a liquid ejecting head, two tanks, circulation paths, and valves to manage hydraulic head differences, allowing for easy switching between supplying liquid and applying pressure, which simplifies the process of discharging ink from nozzles and maintaining stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pressure pump is used to discharge ink from nozzles by applying pressure, then ink discharge function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure application function from a complex pressure pump mechanism and implements it through a simple tank system where ink weight naturally provides the necessary pressure. The first tank positioned above the nozzles uses gravitational force to apply pressure to the ink, eliminating the need for a pressure pump while maintaining effective ink discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the ink's own weight in the first tank to generate the pressure needed for discharge, rather than requiring an external pressure pump. The circulation path and valve system enable the ink to serve its own pressurization needs through controlled flow between tanks, making the system self-sufficient.
2Ease of operation
If pressure release valve timing is differentiated to apply positive pressure for wiping, then cleaning function is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex timing control mechanism for pressure release valves and replaces it with a simple valve system that controls flow between tanks. The wiping function is achieved by opening the first valve to allow ink to flow from the first tank to the nozzles under gravitational pressure, eliminating the need for complex timing differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural flow of ink from the first tank to the nozzles under gravity to perform the wiping function, rather than requiring complex controlled pressure release timing. The valve simply needs to control the start and stop of this natural flow, greatly simplifying the control mechanism.
3Reliability
If complex pressure mechanisms are used to maintain stable head discharging, then discharge stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure stabilization function from complex pressure mechanisms and implements it through the natural gravitational force acting on the ink in the first tank. The stable pressure is achieved by positioning the tank above the nozzles, allowing consistent gravitational pressure without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a stable pressure potential by positioning the first tank at a fixed height above the nozzles, establishing a consistent gravitational potential energy source. This equipotential arrangement ensures stable pressure for discharge without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
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 enables easy and stable ink discharge from nozzles by utilizing hydraulic head differences, reducing the complexity of control and maintaining stable head operation, thus improving the reliability of the liquid ejecting process.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing hydraulic head differences, reducing the complexity of control
Implementation Method 2
utilizing hydraulic head differences, reducing the complexity of control
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid; a first tank that stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head; a second tank that receives the liquid that was not ejected from the liquid ejecting head; circulation paths through which the liquid circulates among the first tank, the liquid ejecting head, and the second tank; a pump that feeds the liquid from the second tank to the first tank; a first supply flow path that communicates between the first tank and a first main tank that is located above the first tank and stores the liquid; a second supply flow path that communicates between the first main tank and the second tank; a first opening/closing valve that can open and close the first supply flow path; and a second opening/closing valve that can open and close the second supply flow path.