Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Sealing Structure for Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, moisture evaporation from the common liquid chamber leads to thickening of liquids over time, especially when not in use for extended periods, due to the existing configuration where the elastic film is not effectively sealed, allowing gas diffusion and moisture loss.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a pressure chamber and a common liquid chamber sealed by a flexible film and a sealing member with a cavity-shaped hollow section, where the flexible film can be sealed by the nozzle formation surface, preventing moisture evaporation and allowing compliance, thus preventing liquid thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elastic film is used to seal the common liquid chamber, then compliance is allowed and pressure fluctuations are absorbed, but moisture evaporation occurs through the elastic film causing liquid thickening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible film to seal the common liquid chamber, allowing the film to deform elastically in response to pressure changes while maintaining a seal. This flexible barrier prevents moisture evaporation through the chamber wall while preserving the compliance needed for pressure fluctuation absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a humidifying member that maintains a high-humidity environment inside the common liquid chamber. By creating an inert-like atmosphere saturated with moisture, the driving force for evaporation is eliminated, preventing liquid thickening while the chamber remains sealed.
2Ease of operation
If the space opposite the common liquid chamber is open to atmosphere, then elastic deformation is not hindered, but gas diffusion occurs and liquid thickens
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible film replaces the open atmospheric space as the boundary for elastic deformation. The film can stretch and deform to accommodate pressure changes while forming a complete barrier that prevents gas diffusion into or out of the common liquid chamber, maintaining liquid composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional open space configuration to a two-dimensional flexible film barrier. This dimensional change allows the seal to conform to pressure variations while maintaining hermetic sealing, preventing gas exchange that would alter liquid composition.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a slender serpentine tube is used to connect atmosphere and opposite side space, then gas diffusion is prevented, but moisture evaporation still occurs and liquid thickens remarkably over long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifying member creates a moisture-saturated inert atmosphere within the common liquid chamber, eliminating the concentration gradient that drives evaporation. This prevents moisture loss completely, not just slows it down, maintaining liquid composition even during long idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the moisture management function from the sealing structure itself and implements it separately through the humidifying member. This separation allows the seal to focus on preventing gas diffusion while the humidifying member independently maintains moisture balance, preventing evaporation-driven thickening.
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 prevents moisture evaporation and thickening of liquids by sealing the nozzle formation surface with a flexible film and a sealing member, maintaining a high humidity state and ensuring reliable operation over time.
Implementation Method 1
the upper surface of the common liquid chamber is sealed by an elastic film (flexible film) having flexibility and thereby pressure fluctuations of a liquid in the common liquid chamber are absorbed
Implementation Method 2
a sealing member which has a cavity-shaped sealing hollow section and can be sealed by the nozzle formation surface being confronted in the sealing hollow section
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a pressure chamber that communicates with a nozzle which has an opening at a nozzle formation surface; a communication plate where a common liquid chamber which supplies a liquid to the pressure chamber is formed; a liquid ejecting head having a flexible film which seals the opening surface at the nozzle formation surface side of the common liquid chamber in the communication plate; and a sealing member which has a cavity-shaped sealing hollow section and can be sealed by the nozzle formation surface being confronted in the sealing hollow section. The sealing member is configured so as to be sealable by at least a portion of the flexible film being confronted in the sealing hollow section in a sealed state of the nozzle formation surface.