Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Pressure Control Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face complexity in maintaining appropriate pressure near the nozzle during ink circulation, leading to complications in pressure control.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head with a nozzle, a supply-side pressure adjustment mechanism, a discharge-side pressure adjustment valve, and a flow mechanism that adjust pressures to maintain the gas-liquid interface at the nozzle, using flexible portions and bias members to control pressure fluctuations and facilitate efficient liquid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump is coupled to the ink circulation system to maintain appropriate pressure near the nozzle, then the pressure can be controlled, but the pressure control becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control system is segmented into two independent pressure adjustment mechanisms: a supply-side pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts pressure in the supply-side liquid chamber, and a discharge-side pressure adjustment valve that adjusts pressure in the discharge-side liquid chamber. This segmentation allows each mechanism to independently control pressure on its respective side, simplifying the overall pressure control system while maintaining reliable pressure near the nozzle during circulation operations.
2Reliability
If pressure control mechanisms are added to maintain gas-liquid interface at the nozzle, then the gas-liquid interface is maintained, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure adjustment mechanisms are designed to locally control pressure in specific chambers (supply-side liquid chamber and discharge-side liquid chamber) adjacent to the nozzle. The supply-side pressure adjustment mechanism locally adjusts pressure to prevent gas from being drawn through the nozzle, while the discharge-side pressure adjustment valve locally adjusts pressure to prevent liquid from leaking. This localized pressure control maintains the gas-liquid interface at the nozzle without requiring complex system-wide 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
This configuration reduces pressure fluctuations and simplifies pressure control during circulation, ensuring the gas-liquid interface is maintained, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of the liquid ejecting process.
Implementation Method 1
the discharge-side valve body being configured to be opened when a pressure in the discharge-side liquid chamber becomes a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure and a pressure outside the discharge-side liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
a supply-side pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts a pressure in a supply-side liquid chamber provided in the liquid supply path to a first pressure at which a gas-liquid interface formed at the nozzle is maintained
Implementation Method 3
a flow mechanism that is coupled to the discharge-side liquid chamber by a return flow path and is configured to discharge the liquid in the liquid ejecting head toward the liquid discharge path via the discharge-side liquid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid supply path through which liquid is supplied to a liquid ejecting head, a liquid discharge path through which the liquid is discharged from the liquid ejecting head, a supply-side pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts a pressure in a supply-side liquid chamber provided in the liquid supply path to a first pressure at which a gas-liquid interface formed at a nozzle of the liquid ejecting head is maintained, a discharge-side pressure adjustment valve that introduces fluid into a discharge-side liquid chamber when a pressure in the discharge-side liquid chamber provided in the liquid discharge path becomes a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure and at which the gas-liquid interface formed at the nozzle is maintained, and a flow mechanism that discharges the liquid in the liquid ejecting head toward the liquid discharge path via the discharge-side liquid chamber.