Movable Partition Wall Pressure Control for Ink Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face challenges in stabilizing ink flow and preventing solvent deposition in pressure control units, leading to complications in structure and size due to the need for complex mechanisms to stir and control ink pressure.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a pressure control unit that includes a diaphragm and a partition wall, allowing for a switch between two flow paths, enabling efficient stirring of deposited ingredients without a complex mechanism, by altering the flow path based on pressure changes, including a suction unit to facilitate cleaning and prevent pressure control function disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a pressure control unit is provided to control ink pressure, then ink flow stability is improved, but solvent ingredients deposit in the pressure control unit
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically switch between two positions based on pressure conditions. This dynamic behavior enables the system to maintain stable ink flow during normal operation while preventing solvent deposition through periodic flow path changes during suction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes periodic suction operations to move the partition wall and change the flow path. During normal ink ejection, the partition wall maintains the first flow path for stable pressure control. During periodic suction operations, the partition wall moves to create a second flow path that prevents solvent deposition, and then returns to the original position.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a complex stirring mechanism is provided to stir deposited ingredients, then solvent deposition is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit serves dual purposes: it removes air bubbles from the ink flow path and simultaneously prevents solvent deposition by moving the partition wall to create a second flow path. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for a separate stirring mechanism, maintaining device simplicity while achieving deposition prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall structure serves multiple functions: it controls ink pressure during normal operation, switches flow paths during suction operations, and prevents solvent deposition. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated stirring mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a propeller stirring mechanism is provided, then solvent deposition is prevented, but printer size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stirring function from a separate propeller mechanism and integrates it into the existing pressure control unit through the movable partition wall. This extraction eliminates the need for a dedicated propeller stirring mechanism and its associated space requirements, preventing size increase while still achieving deposition prevention.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the partition wall contacts the diaphragm, then a second flow path is formed for stirring, but pressure control function may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall contacts the diaphragm only during periodic suction operations to create the second flow path for stirring. During normal ink ejection operations, the partition wall returns to its original position, maintaining the first flow path and stable pressure control function. This periodic contact minimizes disruption to pressure control while achieving stirring when needed.
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 apparatus effectively stirs deposited ingredients and discharges bubbles without a complex mechanism, maintaining stable ink flow and preventing pressure control function disruption, thus enhancing printing quality and reducing ink waste.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm to be displaced in accordance with a pressure; a communication hole that allows communication between the liquid introduction unit and the liquid chamber; and a wall portion provided on the side of the liquid chamber, so as to switch between a first mode in which the wall portion forms a first flow path for the liquid flowing through the communication hole toward the liquid outlet without contacting the diaphragm in accordance with a pressure in the liquid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a pressure control unit provided in a liquid flow path so as to control pressure. The pressure control unit includes a liquid introduction unit, a liquid chamber having a diaphragm, a communication hole that allows communication between the liquid introduction unit and the liquid chamber, and a wall portion provided on the side of the liquid chamber, so as to switch between a first mode in which the wall portion forms a first flow path for the liquid flowing through the communication hole toward the liquid outlet without contacting the diaphragm in accordance with a pressure in the liquid chamber, and a second mode in which the wall portion forms a second flow path different from the first flow path, in contact with the diaphragm.