Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Valve Control for Meniscus Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

When replacing a liquid container in a liquid ejecting apparatus, the negative pressure within the new container can cause air to be drawn through the nozzle, potentially disrupting the liquid meniscus and leading to faulty ejection, as existing systems do not effectively manage the pressure transition.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an opening and closing valve in the connection channel between the sub-tank and the head, which is closed during the replacement of the liquid container to prevent negative pressure from being applied to the head, and utilizing an opening valve to quickly eliminate negative pressure in the sub-tank by opening it to the atmosphere through an opening channel or capillary channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the liquid container is replaced with a new sealed container under negative pressure, then the liquid supply is ensured, but air may be drawn from the nozzle due to negative pressure being applied to the head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid supply reliabilityVSAvoidair drawn from nozzle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening and closing valve is closed before replacing the liquid container to prevent negative pressure from being transmitted to the head. This preliminary action isolates the head from pressure changes during container replacement, ensuring the meniscus remains stable and air cannot be drawn from the nozzle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The opening and closing valve acts as an intermediary between the liquid container and the head. By controlling the valve's opening and closing states, the system mediates the pressure transmission, allowing negative pressure to exist in the container while preventing it from reaching the head during replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the opening and closing valve is closed during container replacement, then negative pressure is prevented from affecting the head, but the sub-tank may accumulate negative pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenegative pressure effect on headVSAvoidsub-tank negative pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The opening valve periodically opens the communication channel between the sub-tank and the atmosphere at predetermined intervals. This periodic action releases accumulated negative pressure in the sub-tank, preventing excessive pressure differential while maintaining protection of the head during container replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the liquid container is sealed under negative pressure, then liquid ejection performance is improved, but the meniscus may be disrupted during container replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid ejection performanceVSAvoidmeniscus stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240157704A1Liquid ejecting apparatus and control method of liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a head that ejects a liquid from a nozzle; a mounting portion on which a liquid container in which the liquid is sealed is detachably mounted; a sub-tank in which the liquid supplied from the liquid container is stored; a connection channel connected to the sub-tank and the head; an opening and closing valve positioned in the connection channel; and a control portion, in which when the liquid container is replaced, the control portion closes the opening and closing valve.