Liquid Storing Chamber Outlet Configuration for By-Product Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with by-products generated at the air-liquid interface in bubble retention spaces downstream of the filter flowing into the liquid ejecting head and nozzles, leading to irregular ejections due to the inability of filters to remove these by-products.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a filter and a liquid storing chamber downstream of the filter, featuring a bubble retention space and outlets positioned to cancel the movement of by-products, preventing them from reaching the nozzles through the use of opposing liquid flows and a degassing chamber to reduce by-product generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bubble retention space is provided downstream of the filter, then bubbles that have passed through the filter can be retained and suppressed from flowing into the liquid ejecting head, but by-products generated at the air-liquid interface cannot be removed by the filter and may flow into the liquid ejecting head causing irregular ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid storing chamber is divided into distinct functional zones: a bubble retention space for capturing bubbles and a by-product accumulation space for collecting by-products. This segmentation allows independent handling of bubbles and by-products, preventing by-products from flowing into the liquid ejecting head while maintaining effective bubble retention
Solution Approach 2:
The by-product accumulation space is designed as a separate extracted zone within the liquid storing chamber, positioned to receive by-products that sink from the air-liquid interface. This extracted space isolates by-products from the main liquid flow path, preventing them from reaching the nozzles
2Reliability
If the liquid storing chamber has outlets positioned to cancel by-product movement, then by-products can be suppressed from reaching the outlets, but the structure becomes more complex with specific outlet positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second outlets are positioned asymmetrically relative to the bubble retention space, with each outlet located on opposite sides of an imaginary center line. This asymmetric positioning creates opposing liquid flows that naturally cancel by-product movements without requiring complex active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet configuration automatically generates opposing liquid flows that cancel by-product movements through the asymmetric positioning itself. The system self-regulates by-product suppression through the inherent flow dynamics created by the outlet arrangement, without requiring additional control systems
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
Effectively suppresses by-products from flowing into the liquid ejecting head and nozzles, ensuring consistent ejection by accumulating and removing them, thereby improving printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid storing chamber disposed downstream of the filter can cause the bubbles that have passed through the filter and entered the liquid storing chamber through the inlet to be retained in the bubble retention space
Implementation Method 2
If by-products are generated at the air-liquid interface between the bubbles (gas) and the liquid in the bubble retention space and sink, the configuration can cause such by-products to be accumulated in the projected area on the bottom
Implementation Method 3
The liquid exits the liquid storing chamber through the first outlet and the second outlet, thereby generating liquid flows having components in the opposite directions from the imaginary center line of the projected area to the first outlet and the second outlet. The liquid flow components in the opposite directions cancel movements of the by-products accumulated in the projected area and thus suppress the by-products from reaching the first outlet or the second outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid path comprising a filter and a liquid storing chamber for supplying liquid to a liquid ejecting head. The liquid storing chamber has an inlet, a bubble retention space disposed above the inlet, a bottom disposed below the bubble retention space, and a first outlet and a second outlet. (i) The first outlet is located on one side of an imaginary center line passing through the center of a projected area, and the second outlet is located on the other side of the imaginary center line. Alternatively, (ii) the first outlet and the second outlet are located outside a projected area defined by projecting the bubble retention space onto the bottom.