Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Pressure Relief via Circulation Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting apparatuses with liquid holders in the liquid channel experience increased pressure, leading to component separation or leakage, as existing technologies do not effectively manage or reduce this pressure.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a circulation channel that allows increased pressure to be released back to the liquid reservoir through controlled opening and closing of the circulation channel, using a three-way valve configuration to manage the flow and reduce pressure in the liquid channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid is supplied from the liquid reservoir to the liquid holder, then the liquid holder can supply liquid to the ejecting portion, but the pressure in the liquid channel increases causing component separation or leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful high-pressure liquid from the liquid channel by providing a circulation channel that returns liquid to the liquid reservoir. The circulation channel opening/closing portion selectively opens the circulation channel to release excess pressure by redirecting liquid back to the reservoir, thereby removing the harmful pressure buildup while maintaining the liquid supply function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter in the liquid channel by dynamically controlling the circulation channel opening/closing portion. When pressure increases, the portion opens the circulation channel to reduce pressure; when pressure is normal, it closes the circulation channel to maintain supply flow. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining supply pressure and preventing harmful pressure buildup.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a circulation channel is added to release pressure, then pressure increase is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the circulation channel with the existing liquid channel components, using the same liquid reservoir and integrating the circulation channel opening/closing portion into the existing channel structure. This combining approach allows pressure relief functionality to be added without requiring completely separate systems, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while still achieving effective pressure control.
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 effectively reduces pressure in the liquid channel, preventing component separation and leakage, while also incorporating a deaerator and filter to ensure proper liquid deaeration and filtration, enhancing ejection stability.
Implementation Method 1
when the pressure in the portion of the liquid channel between the liquid driving portion and the liquid holder is increased, the opening/closing of the circulation channel performed by the circulation channel opening/closing portion is controlled. This enables the increased pressure to be released to the liquid reservoir through the circulation channel
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a deaerator and filter to ensure proper liquid deaeration and filtration
Implementation Method 3
incorporating a deaerator and filter to ensure proper liquid deaeration and filtration
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ejecting portion configured to eject a liquid; a liquid channel extending from a liquid reservoir to the ejecting portion; a liquid holder configured to hold the liquid supplied from the liquid reservoir and allow the liquid to be supplied to the ejecting portion; a liquid driving portion configured to cause the liquid in the liquid channel to flow; a liquid channel opening/closing portion configured to open and close the liquid channel; a circulation channel for the liquid; a circulation channel opening/closing portion configured to open and close the circulation channel; and a controller configured to control drive of the liquid driving portion and opening/closing of the liquid channel performed by the liquid channel opening/closing portion. The controller is further configured, when pressure in the portion of the liquid channel between the liquid driving portion and the liquid holder is increased by the control, to control opening/closing of the circulation channel performed by the circulation channel opening/closing portion in such a manner that the increased pressure is released to the liquid reservoir through the circulation channel.