Multi-Pump Liquid Supply Alternating Operation for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, have pumps with short lifespans due to frequent operation, leading to reduced usability and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with multiple pumps in each supply flow path, where pumps alternate between sucking and discharging states, with operations optimized based on a threshold storage amount in the pump chamber, reducing the number of times the pumps are driven and extending their lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pumps are frequently driven to continuously supply liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head, then the liquid supply continuity is improved, but the life of the pumps becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates periodically by alternating between a suction stroke (sucking liquid into the pump chamber) and a discharge stroke (discharging liquid from the pump chamber), rather than running continuously. This periodic operation reduces wear and extends pump life while maintaining liquid supply continuity through coordinated operation of multiple pumps
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply system is divided into multiple pumps (first pump and second pump) that operate alternately. Each pump handles a portion of the liquid supply task, distributing the operational load and reducing the frequency of operation for each individual pump, thereby extending their lifespan
2Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple pumps are operated alternately to extend pump life, then the pump life is improved, but the complexity of the liquid supply system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pumps share a common liquid supply path that merges their discharge flows into a single pathway leading to the liquid ejecting head. This merging approach allows multiple pumps to operate independently while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to having separate supply paths for each pump
3Duration of action of stationary object
If pumps are operated based on threshold storage amount calculation, then the number of pump operations is reduced extending pump life, but the measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the storage amount of liquid in the pump chamber and uses this feedback information to determine when to switch between suction and discharge strokes. The discharge amount is calculated based on the change in storage amount, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes pump operation while managing measurement complexity through systematic calculation
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
This configuration optimizes pump operation, extends their lifespan, and improves usability by ensuring continuous liquid supply during ejection operations.
Implementation Method 1
by increasing and reducing the volumes of the pump chambers to alternately repeat the sucking state and the discharging state
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit that ejects liquid, and a plurality of pumps each supplying the liquid toward the liquid ejecting unit by repeating a sucking state and a discharging state. When one of the pumps is in the discharging state and a storage amount of the liquid stored in the pump chamber of the one pump becomes equal to a threshold, another of the pumps is switched to the discharging state. A value obtained by adding an inflow of the liquid flowed into the pump chamber of the other pump to an ejection amount of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting unit is defined as a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from the pump chamber of the one pump during a period of the discharging state.