Parallel Liquid Supply Device with Filtered Branches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink clogging in nozzles due to increased viscosity during idle periods, leading to uneven cleaning liquid supply and potential scattering due to bubble formation in the cleaning liquid tubes.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device with a flow pass, pump, and opening/closing device, featuring parallel distribution flow passes with branch flow passes, filters, and check valves, where the filter's flow resistance is greater than the check valve's release pressure and the distribution flow pass's resistance when the flow pass is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cleaning liquid is supplied through parallel tubes to multiple inkjet heads, then cleaning liquid can be distributed to multiple heads simultaneously, but bubbles may be generated in the cleaning liquid in the tubes causing uneven supply and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The flow pass is divided into multiple distribution flow passes provided in parallel between the pump and opening/closing device. Each distribution flow pass includes a branch flow pass that is branched therefrom, allowing the cleaning liquid to be distributed to multiple inkjet heads simultaneously while maintaining independent flow control in each branch
Solution Approach 2:
A filter is provided in each distribution flow pass as an intermediary component between the pump and the inkjet heads. The filter captures bubbles in the cleaning liquid before they reach the inkjet heads, preventing uneven supply and scattering while maintaining the efficiency benefits of parallel supply
2Ease of operation
If check valves are provided in each parallel tube to control flow, then individual flow control is achieved, but individual differences in release pressure cause biased flow toward check valves with low release pressure
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is provided in each distribution flow pass at a specific location between the pump and the opening/closing device. Each filter is configured to capture bubbles locally in its respective branch, ensuring uniform flow distribution despite individual differences in check valve release pressures. The filter acts as a local quality control mechanism that compensates for variations in the system
3Loss of energy
If cleaning liquid flow is stopped for long period, then energy consumption is reduced, but bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is positioned in the distribution flow pass to preliminarily capture bubbles before they can cause problems during cleaning operations. Even when the cleaning liquid flow is stopped for long periods and bubbles are generated, the filter is already in place to remove these bubbles when flow resumes, maintaining cleaning liquid quality without requiring continuous energy consumption
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 ensures uniform supply of cleaning liquid to inkjet heads, preventing clogging and scattering, while maintaining efficient operation and minimizing the impact of individual differences in check valve release pressures.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the distribution flow passes includes a branch flow pass, a filter, and a check valve. The filter filters the liquid flowing in the distribution flow pass.
Implementation Method 2
a check valve for discharging air accumulated in the bubble trap
Implementation Method 3
a bubble trap for catching the bubbles by using buoyancy acting on the bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device includes a flow pass, a pump, and an opening/closing device. The pump supplies a liquid to the flow pass. The opening/closing device opens and closes the flow pass. The flow pass includes a plurality of distribution flow passes provided in parallel between the pump and the opening/closing device. Each of the distribution flow passes includes a blanch flow pass, a filter, and a check valve. The branch flow pass is branched from the distribution flow pass. The filter filters the liquid flowing in the distribution flow pass. The check valve is provided on a downstream side of the filter. In each of the distribution flow passes, a flow resistance of the filter is larger than a release pressure of the check valve and a flow resistance of the distribution flow pass when the flow pass is opened by the opening/closing device.