Liquid Ejector Feed-Path Adjustment for Stable Discharge Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid-material discharge devices face challenges in easily correcting changes in discharge amount due to viscosity variations over time, requiring trial and error processes to adjust air pressure.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-material discharge device with a discharge amount adjustment member and position adjustment mechanism, allowing for easy adjustment of the discharge amount by shifting the adjustment member within the liquid feed path, which includes a linear flow path and a seal member, and is driven by a forward and backward driving device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a piezoelectric element is used to eject liquid material, then the liquid material can be ejected without heating, but the ejection amount becomes unstable due to liquid remaining in the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid discharge system is divided into multiple nozzles (first nozzle and second nozzle) that operate alternately. This segmentation allows one nozzle to be ejected while another is being cleaned or refilled, ensuring continuous stable ejection without the instability caused by liquid remaining in a single nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid supply chamber is provided that preliminarily stores liquid material and supplies it to the nozzles. This preliminary action ensures that nozzles are continuously supplied with fresh liquid material, preventing the instability caused by liquid remaining in the nozzle and enabling stable ejection.
2Productivity
If liquid material is ejected using conventional methods, then ejection can be achieved, but clogging occurs due to solidified liquid material or foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid supply chamber preliminarily stores and preps liquid material before it reaches the nozzle. This preliminary action prevents solidification and foreign matter accumulation at the nozzle tip, eliminating clogging while maintaining ejection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply chamber acts as an intermediary between the liquid material source and the nozzle. It serves as a buffer that prevents direct contact between the nozzle and potential clogging sources (solidified liquid or foreign matter), thereby eliminating clogging issues.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple nozzles are used to ensure stable ejection, then ejection stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzles are merged into a single integrated liquid discharge device with a common liquid supply chamber. This merging approach achieves stable ejection through multiple nozzles while avoiding the complexity of separate liquid supply systems for each nozzle, as they all share the same supply chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply chamber serves multiple functions: it stores liquid material, supplies liquid to multiple nozzles, and prevents clogging for all nozzles simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining ejection stability through multiple nozzles.
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
Enables easier correction of changed discharge amounts during operation, reducing the time and effort required for adjustments, while minimizing liquid material waste and facilitating cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element which transforms electrical energy to mechanical energy to eject the liquid material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3(b)
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AI summary
Problem: To provide a liquid-material discharge device that enables easier correction of a changed discharge amount during discharge operation than conventional techniques. Solution: A liquid-material discharge device according to the present invention, which includes a discharging member having a rod-shaped body, a liquid chamber wider than the discharging member, in which a tip portion of the discharging member is disposed, a discharge port communicating with the liquid chamber, a liquid feed path that makes the liquid chamber communicate with a liquid-material reservoir, and a driving device configured to drive the discharging member, includes a discharge amount adjustment member positioned at the liquid feed path, and a member position adjustment mechanism configured to shift a position of the discharge amount adjustment member within the liquid feed path, the discharge amount adjustment member being kept from interrupting communication between the liquid chamber and the liquid-material reservoir.