Liquid Ejection Agitation via Pump-Driven Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, the moisturizing liquid in the cap device does not readily mix with supplied water, leading to issues in maintaining the concentration of the moisturizing liquid.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a cap with a closed space forming section, an inflow port for a humidification fluid, an outflow port, a humidification fluid storage section, a supply flow path, a collection flow path, a pump for circulation, a water supply section, and a controller. The collection flow path opens at a position lower than the liquid surface in the storage section, allowing for a first agitation and circulation by supplying water and driving the pump to circulate the humidification fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water is supplied to the moisturizing liquid storage section to maintain concentration, then the moisture level is restored, but the moisturizing liquid and supplied water do not readily mix
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static storage approach to a dynamic circulation approach. The pump continuously circulates the humidification fluid through the circulation path, creating dynamic movement that promotes mixing between the moisturizing liquid and supplied water, resolving the homogeneity problem while maintaining moisture levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic circulation through the pump and flow paths to achieve mixing. The circulation path creates fluid flow that naturally mixes the moisturizing liquid with supplied water, eliminating the need for mechanical agitation while ensuring homogeneous composition.
2Reliability
If a cap device with moisturizing liquid is used to humidify nozzles, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but the moisturizing liquid concentration becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system automatically maintains the humidification fluid properties through continuous circulation and mixing. The pump-driven flow path system self-regulates the fluid composition without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-maintaining and improving ease of operation while ensuring reliable nozzle function.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation path enables continuous circulation of the humidification fluid, ensuring constant mixing and maintenance of proper concentration. This continuous action prevents the fluid from stagnating and maintaining its effectiveness for nozzle humidification without periodic manual intervention.
3Device complexity
If the collection flow path opens above the liquid surface, then fluid circulation is simplified, but agitation and mixing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collection flow path opens at a lower position in the vertical dimension, creating a height difference that enables gravitational return flow. This dimensional arrangement creates a natural circulation loop where fluid flows down through the collection path and returns upward, generating agitation and mixing without adding horizontal complexity to the system.
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 efficiently agitates and mixes the humidification fluid with supplied water, even if moisture has evaporated, ensuring effective humidification and maintaining the concentration of the moisturizing liquid.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to cause the humidification fluid to flow in a circulation path including the humidification fluid storage section, the supply flow path, and the collection flow path
Implementation Method 2
as a first agitation and circulation, the controller supplies water from the water supply section into the circulation path and drives the pump to cause the humidification fluid to flow in the circulation path
Implementation Method 3
for example, in a case where moisture in the moisturizing liquid in the moisturizing liquid storage section evaporates
Data Source
AI summary
The liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a cap having a closed space forming section forming a closed space, an inflow port through which a humidification fluid flows in, and an outflow port through which the humidification fluid flows out, a humidification fluid storage section storing the humidification fluid, a supply flow path communicating the humidification fluid storage section with the inflow port, a collection flow path communicating the humidification fluid storage section with the outflow port, a pump, a moisture supply section, and a controller. One end of the collection flow path opens at a position in the humidification fluid storage section that is lower than a liquid surface of the humidification fluid. The controller causes the moisture supply section to supply water into the circulation path and drives the pump to cause the humidification fluid to flow in the circulation path.