Liquid Supply Device With One-Way Valves and Pressure Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with ink supply, where negative pressure applied by the pump causes ink to be sucked into the pump chamber, leading to temporary cessation of ink ejection from the recording head, resulting in inconsistent printing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device with a pump chamber, first and second one-way valves, and a liquid pressure accumulation unit with a variable volume pressure accumulation chamber, which stores ink in a pressure-accumulated state, preventing backflow and ensuring stable pressurized ink supply to the recording head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the pump performs suction action to generate negative pressure for ink supply, then ink is sucked into the pump chamber, but negative pressure is applied to the downstream ink flow channel causing ink ejection to cease temporarily
Solution Approach 1:
The ink flow channel is segmented into multiple sections with separate one-way valves (first valve between ink cartridge and pump, second valve between pump and recording head). This segmentation allows independent control of ink flow in different sections, enabling the downstream channel to maintain positive pressure for continuous ejection while the pump performs suction action upstream.
Solution Approach 2:
One-way valves act as intermediaries that control the direction of ink flow. The first one-way valve allows ink to flow from the ink cartridge to the pump chamber during suction, while the second one-way valve prevents negative pressure from propagating to the downstream channel, thus protecting the ink ejection process.
2Stress or pressure
If the pump chamber volume is reduced to increase ink pressure, then ink ejection pressure improves, but ink supply from the ink cartridge becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply device performs preliminary action by accumulating ink in the pump chamber before the ejection phase. During the suction phase, ink is drawn from the ink cartridge and stored in the pump chamber, preparing the ink supply in advance. This allows the pump to subsequently eject ink at high pressure without needing to reduce the chamber volume excessively, as the ink is already positioned and ready for ejection.
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 continuous, stable pressurized ink supply to the recording head, reducing the need for excessive pressure from the pump, allowing for efficient and consistent printing without affecting the pump's suction and ejection actions.
Implementation Method 1
a first one-way valve that is provided in the liquid supply channel on an upstream side from the pump chamber to permit ink to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side
Implementation Method 2
a second one-way valve that is provided in the liquid supply channel on a downstream side from the pump chamber to permit ink to flow from the upstream side toward the downstream side
Implementation Method 3
a liquid pressure accumulation unit that is provided with a volume variable pressure accumulation chamber, which is disposed in the liquid supply channel on a downstream side from the second one-way valve to form a part of the liquid supply channel, and stores the liquid in a pressure-accumulated state within the pressure accumulation chamber
Implementation Method 4
If the pump performs a suction action, negative pressure is applied to the pump chamber, and accordingly ink is sucked into the pump chamber from the ink cartridge
Implementation Method 5
Ink is supplied to the recording head in a pressurized state in accordance with an ejection action of the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device includes a liquid supply channel that supplies a liquid from an upstream side as a liquid supply source side to a downstream side, where the liquid is consumed, and a pump that pumps a part of the liquid supply channel as a pump chamber. A first one-way valve in the liquid supply channel on an upstream side from the pump chamber permits ink to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side. A second one-way valve on a downstream side from the pump chamber permits ink to flow from the upstream side toward the downstream side. A liquid pressure accumulation unit with a volume variable pressure accumulation chamber is disposed on a downstream side from the second one-way valve to form a part of the liquid supply channel and stores the liquid in a pressure-accumulated state within the pressure accumulation chamber.