Liquid Ejection Flow Paths for Adjustable Ink Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses, such as printers, face challenges in adjusting the pressure of ink supplied to the recording head, as the on-off valve in these systems typically maintains a preset pressure, making it difficult to change the pressure as needed.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a circulation flow path with a main flow path and bypass flow path, featuring first and second pressure control valves upstream and downstream of the liquid ejection unit, along with a pressure change mechanism, allowing for adjustable pressure control through a pressure control valve and negative pressure control valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an on-off valve is used to supply ink to the recording head, then the ink can be supplied at preset pressure, but the pressure of the ink cannot be changed from the preset pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static pressure control system into a dynamic one by introducing a circulation flow path with variable resistance. The resistance member can be adjusted to change the flow resistance dynamically, allowing the ink pressure to be varied according to different printing conditions while using a simple valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow resistance parameter in the circulation flow path to control the ink pressure. By adjusting the resistance member's position or characteristics, the system can achieve different pressure levels without changing the valve type or structure, thus maintaining simplicity while gaining pressure adjustability.
2Reliability
If a pressure control valve is added to adjust ink pressure, then pressure control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resistance member as an intermediary element in the circulation flow path. This resistance member acts as a mediator between the ink supply and the recording head, controlling the pressure by creating flow resistance rather than using a complex pressure control valve. The intermediary approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliable pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by implementing a circulation flow path where ink flows through a resistance member. The pressure control is achieved through fluid dynamics and flow resistance rather than mechanical pressure valves, leveraging hydraulic concepts to simplify the pressure control mechanism while improving reliability.
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 enables dynamic pressure adjustment, ensuring optimal ink ejection performance by maintaining a desired pressure within the liquid ejection unit, enhancing printing quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure control valve disposed upstream of the liquid ejection unit in the circulation flow path and configured to adjust pressure of the liquid flowing into the liquid ejection unit
Implementation Method 2
a second pressure control valve disposed downstream of the liquid ejection unit in the circulation flow path and configured to adjust pressure of the liquid flowing out from the liquid ejection unit
Implementation Method 3
the circulation flow path includes a main flow path in which the first pressure control valve and the second pressure control valve are disposed, and a bypass flow path branched from the main flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection unit capable of ejecting a liquid, a circulation flow path for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejection unit and recover the liquid from the liquid ejection unit, a pressure change mechanism for changing pressure of the liquid in the circulation flow path, a pressure control valve disposed upstream of the liquid ejection unit in the circulation flow path and configured to adjust pressure of the liquid flowing into the liquid ejection unit, and a negative pressure control valve disposed downstream of the liquid ejection unit in the circulation flow path and for adjusting pressure of the liquid flowing out from the liquid ejection unit, wherein the circulation flow path includes a main flow path in which the pressure control valve and the negative pressure control valve are disposed, and a bypass flow path branched from the main flow path.