Liquid Ejection Device Preservation Solution Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection devices face challenges in reliably discharging preservation solutions from liquid ejection heads, leading to potential ink dilution and operational inefficiencies during the initial use phase.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device design that includes a liquid ejection head with individual and common passages filled with a preservation solution prior to use, featuring a pressure chamber, pump mechanism, and a liquid drain path to effectively discharge the preservation solution and prevent ink dilution, ensuring favorable operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a liquid ejection head is prefilled with preservation solution in individual passages and common passage, then air trapping is prevented, but the preservation solution must be discharged before use which complicates the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid ejection head is prefilled with preservation solution before use to prevent air trapping in the individual passages and common passage. This preliminary action ensures proper liquid filling and prevents air bubbles from interfering with subsequent ink ejection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated discharge path is provided that allows the preservation solution to be extracted and discharged from the liquid ejection head separately from the ink supply path. This extraction mechanism enables removal of the preservation solution through a specific discharge hole without affecting the ink supply system.
2Device complexity
If preservation solution remains in the liquid ejection head, then the structure is simple, but ink dilution occurs which affects printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into a dedicated discharge path separate from the ink supply path. The discharge path includes a specific discharge hole and discharge passage that are distinct from the ink supply passages, allowing selective removal of preservation solution without affecting ink delivery to the ejection holes.
Solution Approach 2:
A pump mechanism is introduced as an intermediary device to facilitate the discharge of preservation solution. The pump is connected to the discharge path and provides controlled removal of the preservation solution, ensuring complete evacuation before ink supply begins, thereby preventing any dilution of the ink.
3Reliability
If a dedicated pipe is provided for preservation solution discharge, then discharge completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism serves multiple functions: it supplies ink from the ink cartridge to the liquid ejection head through the ink supply path, and it discharges the preservation solution through the discharge path. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate discharge pumps or complex valve systems, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring complete discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink supply function and preservation solution discharge function are merged into a single pump mechanism. The pump is configured to operate in different modes: supplying ink through the ink supply passage and discharging preservation solution through the discharge passage, thereby simplifying the piping structure by consolidating functions.
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 enables reliable and efficient discharge of preservation solutions, preventing ink dilution and ensuring favorable operability by utilizing a pressure chamber and pump mechanism to manage the liquid flow within the liquid ejection device.
Implementation Method 1
a pump mechanism capable of delivering the first liquid from the liquid storage container to the liquid ejection head through the first supply passage and the second supply passage
Implementation Method 2
The liquid supply unit (valve unit) has a pressure chamber which generates a negative pressure in the discharge holes of the liquid ejection head when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to a liquid ejection head due to a water head difference
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head which ejects a first liquid, and a liquid supply unit. The liquid ejection head includes a plurality of liquid discharge holes with individual passages and a common passage for supplying the first liquid to the individual passages. The liquid supply unit includes a pressure chamber, a first supply passage communicating with the pressure chamber, and a second supply passage that makes an upstream side of a common passage communicate with the pressure chamber, a liquid drain path that makes a downstream side of the common passage communicate with the second supply passage, and a pump mechanism. The pump mechanism supplies the first liquid to the upstream side and the downstream side of the common passage through the second supply passage and the liquid drain path, and discharges the second liquid, which is filled in advance, from the liquid discharge hole.