Nozzle Shielding and Mist Collection for Liquid Discharging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid discharging apparatuses with multiple nozzle rows, mist diffusion between nozzle rows leads to internal pollution, and existing solutions either allow mist to escape upward or cause defects by trapping liquid between nozzles, resulting in medium contamination.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharging apparatus with intersecting nozzle rows, a shielding portion to prevent mist diffusion, and a collecting portion to absorb the mist, featuring an inclined design to direct mist flow and prevent defects, including a detachable and absorbent configuration to manage collected liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If intervals between nozzle rows are buried to prevent mist diffusion, then mist diffusion is suppressed, but liquid remains in the intervals and causes medium pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemist diffusionVSAvoidliquid remaining and dropping

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful liquid mist is extracted from the interval space by the collecting portion, which is specifically designed to receive and collect the mist that accumulates in the intervals between nozzle rows, preventing it from dropping onto the medium

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The collecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the interval space and the medium, intercepting the liquid mist before it can contaminate the medium while allowing the nozzle rows to function normally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding portion is added to prevent mist diffusion, then internal pollution is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal pollutionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding portion is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it shields the interval space to prevent mist diffusion, provides structural support, and works in conjunction with the collecting portion to manage liquid accumulation, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding portion and collecting portion are merged into an integrated structure that combines the functions of mist shielding and liquid collection, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 mist diffusion between nozzle rows without generating defects, ensuring cleaner internal apparatus operation and preventing medium contamination.

Implementation Method 1

the collecting portion includes an absorbing member which absorbs the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9643418B2Liquid discharging apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid discharging apparatus includes multiple nozzle rows, in which a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging liquid onto a medium are arranged, that are arranged in an intersection direction intersecting with a nozzles-arranged direction where the nozzles are arranged, a shielding portion that shields an area between the nozzle rows, and a collecting portion that collects mist which is attached to the shielding portion and is generated due to discharging of the liquid from the nozzles.