Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Pump Life Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the life of the pump due to prolonged driving times, leading to instability in liquid ejection and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus that incorporates a pressure feeding mechanism with a control system to switch between liquid supply using a head-generated pressure and a pressure feeding mechanism, allowing for reduced driving time of the pressure feeding mechanism and stable ejection by combining both methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is driven frequently to maintain internal pressure in the supply flow path, then liquid supply stability is improved, but the pump life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual liquid supply system that dynamically switches between two supply methods: (1) pump-driven pressure supply for maintaining stable liquid flow, and (2) gravity-driven supply from a liquid accommodating body for extending pump life. The system adapts the supply method based on operational requirements, using the pump only when necessary to maintain ejection stability while relying on gravity supply during normal operation to reduce pump wear and extend its service life.
2Reliability
If the pump driving time is extended to ensure liquid supply, then liquid supply stability is improved, but maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically alternates between pump-driven supply and gravity-driven supply from the liquid accommodating body. During normal operation, the liquid supply unit uses gravity-driven supply to minimize pump operation. When ejection stability requires pressure supply, the pump is activated. This dynamic switching reduces overall pump usage time, thereby reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining liquid supply stability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the liquid accommodating body is positioned high to enable gravity supply, then pump driving time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply system is segmented into two independent supply paths: a gravity-driven path from the liquid accommodating body positioned in the accommodating body holding portion, and a pump-driven path from the liquid supply unit. This segmentation allows each path to operate independently based on operational needs, enabling reduced pump usage through gravity supply while maintaining system reliability through the alternative pump-driven path.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply system is designed with multi-functionality, where the liquid supply unit can serve dual purposes: (1) as a gravity-driven supply source when positioned in the accommodating body holding portion, and (2) as a pump-driven pressure supply source when activated. This universal design allows the same component to fulfill different supply requirements, reducing the need for additional specialized components and thereby limiting device complexity increase.
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 approach extends the life of the pressure feeding mechanism, stabilizes liquid ejection, and simplifies maintenance by reducing the labor required for attaching and detaching liquid accommodating bodies, while ensuring consistent liquid supply.
Implementation Method 1
supply of the liquid using a head with respect to the nozzle of the liquid that is accommodated in the mounted liquid accommodating body
Implementation Method 2
a pressure feeding mechanism that forcefully causes the liquid to flow from the liquid accommodating body toward the liquid ejecting portion
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting portion that has a nozzle and performs a recording process by ejecting liquid from the nozzle toward a medium, a supply flow path that is provided to be able to cause the liquid that is accommodated in a liquid accommodating body to flow toward the liquid ejecting portion, and a pressure feeding mechanism that forcefully causes the liquid to flow from the liquid accommodating body toward the liquid ejecting portion, and an accommodating body holding portion that is capable of having the liquid accommodating body mounted thereon and is disposed at a supply position at which it is possible to supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting portion using a head with respect to the nozzle of the liquid that is accommodated in the mounted liquid accommodating body.