Liquid Ejection Apparatus Water Head Difference Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a stable ejection performance due to the increase in resistance force of the flexible member as the ejection material is consumed, leading to fluctuations in pressure within the ejection head and unfavorable ejection states.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a storage container divided into two spaces by a flexible member, where a hydraulic fluid is used to maintain a consistent negative pressure, and a water head difference adjustment mechanism ensures the ejection port face is positioned correctly relative to the hydraulic fluid's surface, stabilizing the pressure and preventing material leakage or dripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible member is used to separate the ink chamber and buoyancy generation chamber, then the negative pressure in the ejection head can be maintained, but the resistance force of the flexible member increases as ejection material is consumed, causing pressure fluctuations in the ejection head
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the flexible member and the ejection material. The hydraulic fluid transmits pressure changes more uniformly, mediating the interaction between the flexible member's resistance force and the ejection system, thereby reducing direct pressure fluctuations in the ejection head while maintaining the negative pressure environment needed for stable ejection
2Device complexity
If the ejection port face is positioned at a fixed height, then the structure is simple, but the pressure in the ejection head changes as the flexible member deforms with material consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection port face is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to pressure changes in the hydraulic fluid. This dynamic positioning compensates for the increasing resistance force of the flexible member during material consumption, maintaining consistent ejection performance while adding only minimal structural complexity through a movable connection mechanism
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 solution allows for a stable and favorable ejection state by maintaining consistent negative pressure and preventing material leakage, ensuring reliable operation even as the ejection material is consumed, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of the ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member that separates the first storage space from the second storage space
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic fluid that maintains a consistent negative pressure
Implementation Method 3
a water head difference adjustment mechanism that ensures the ejection port face is positioned correctly relative to the hydraulic fluid's surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a liquid ejection apparatus, an imprint apparatus, and an ejection method capable of obtaining a favorable ejection state. To this end, in the course of use of an ejection material, a water head difference (reference height) between an ejection port face and a liquid surface of a hydraulic fluid 35 in a sub tank 26 is changed.