Liquid Feed Valve Unit Residual Pressure Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing devices face operational delays due to residual pressure issues in the pressure chamber, causing ink leakage and requiring waiting periods before proceeding with the next operation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid feed valve unit with a flexible member, urging mechanism, pushing mechanism, and control unit that allows for rapid switching between releasing and blocking modes, preventing the flexible member from flexing outward and thus eliminating residual pressure, enabling immediate operation resumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the pressure-receiving part is pushed toward the pressure chamber to open the movable valve, then the valve opening speed is improved, but residual pressure causes ink leakage and requires waiting time before next operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful residual pressure effect by introducing a peripheral part that actively pushes the flexible member back to its initial position after valve opening. This removes the problematic residual pressure state that caused ink leakage and operational delays, allowing immediate subsequent operations without waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the pushing mechanism to preemptively counteract the outward flexing of the flexible member that occurs when the pressure-receiving part is pushed. The peripheral part pushes the flexible member back simultaneously, preventing residual pressure formation before it can cause harmful effects.
2Speed
If the pressure-receiving part is pushed toward the pressure chamber, then the movable valve opens faster, but the flexible member flexes outward creating residual pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful outward flexing of the flexible member into a beneficial controlled motion. By introducing the peripheral part that pushes the flexible member back, the system transforms the problematic residual pressure effect into a controlled two-stage motion: outward flexing for rapid valve opening, then immediate return for residual pressure elimination.
3Ease of operation
If the flexible member is allowed to flex outward to open the valve, then the valve operation is simplified, but ink leakage occurs due to residual pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flexible member's position dynamically controlled in two stages: first allowing outward flexing for simple valve opening, then actively returning to initial position to prevent ink leakage. The pushing mechanism provides dynamic control that maintains both operational simplicity and 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
The solution allows for fast operation of the liquid feed valve unit, minimizing operating delays and preventing ink leakage, enabling continuous operation without waiting for residual pressure to dissipate.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible member flexes in a direction in which an internal volume of the liquid accommodating chamber decreases
Implementation Method 2
The urging mechanism urges the valve so that the valve opens the connecting passage in a reduced-pressure state
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid feed valve unit is configured to switch between a releasing mode for forcibly opening a valve and a blocking mode for closing the valve, and the valve can therefore be opened and closed in a short time as needed. Since the releasing mode is implemented by pushing the peripheral part and the pressure-receiving part of the flexible member, the flexible member can be prevented from flexing toward the outside of the liquid accommodating chamber even in the case that the pressure-receiving part is pushed. In this case, since a residual pressure can be prevented from forming in the liquid accommodating chamber, there is no need to suspend operation, and it is possible to immediately proceed to the next operation. A fast-operating liquid feed valve unit can thereby be obtained.