Liquid Jetting Apparatus Tank Offset for Pressure Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses experience uneven pressure distribution across nozzle menisci due to differences in channel resistance and length between recording element substrates, leading to inconsistent risk of damage to the ink meniscus during pressure variations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid jetting apparatus with liquid jetting heads arranged along a predetermined direction, featuring separate tanks and channels for different liquids, where the tanks are offset in the arrangement direction to equalize channel resistances and minimize pressure biases across the heads, ensuring uniform resistance and reduced risk of meniscus damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all tanks are arranged at one side of the liquid jetting heads, then the device structure is simplified, but the channel resistance becomes uneven across different heads causing pressure bias and increased risk of meniscus damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by arranging tanks at different positions (both left and right sides) relative to the liquid jetting heads. This creates balanced channel resistance paths from each tank to its corresponding heads, ensuring uniform pressure distribution across all heads and eliminating the bias that would otherwise increase meniscus damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses asymmetric tank arrangement where tanks are positioned on both left and right sides of the liquid jetting heads rather than all on one side. This asymmetric configuration balances the channel resistance across different heads, preventing pressure bias while maintaining structural organization.
2Reliability
If channel lengths are made equal for all liquid jetting heads, then pressure distribution is uniform, but the device structure becomes more complex and less adaptable to different head configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making channel resistance uniform through strategic tank positioning rather than making all channels equal length. Each tank is positioned to create appropriate resistance balance for its specific connections to liquid jetting heads, allowing local optimization without requiring complex uniform channel designs throughout the entire 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
The solution ensures uniform resistance and pressure distribution across all liquid jetting heads, reducing the likelihood of meniscus damage and maintaining consistent ink flow, thereby enhancing the reliability and performance of the ink jetting process.
Implementation Method 1
first supply channels which connect the first tank and the liquid jetting heads to supply the first liquid from the first tank to the liquid jetting heads
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid jetting apparatus includes: liquid jetting heads which are arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction and each of which has a first nozzle to jet a first liquid and a second nozzle to jet a second liquid, a first tank in which the first liquid is stored, a second tank in which the second liquid is stored, first supply channels which connect the first tank and the liquid jetting heads, second supply channels which connect the second tank and the liquid jetting heads, first return channels which connect the liquid jetting heads and the first tank, and second return channels which connect the liquid jetting heads and the second tank. The first tank and the second tank are arranged to deviate from each other in the arrangement direction.