Pressurized Ink Circulation Head for Stable High-Viscosity Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet technologies face challenges in conveying high-viscosity inks due to pressure fluctuations, leading to ink separation, precipitation, nozzle clogging, and discharge failures, particularly when using hydraulic head pressure or airless spray methods.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus incorporating a compressed air supply source, pressurizing tank, feeder, discharge head, and mitigation device, along with a circulation path, stabilizes pressure fluctuations by using an accumulator to absorb pressure variations and maintain a constant flow rate, ensuring stable ink discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high-viscosity ink is conveyed by circulation under atmospheric pressure, then the circulation structure can operate, but ink separation and precipitation occur leading to nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric pressure to pressurized conditions by introducing a pressurizing tank and compressed air supply. This pressure increase prevents ink separation and precipitation while maintaining circulation operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and ink flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressurizing tank as an intermediary component between the compressed air supply and the discharge head. This intermediary maintains stable pressure and prevents direct contact between high-viscosity ink and the circulation system components, preventing clogging while enabling continuous operation.
2Speed
If high pressure is applied to discharge high-viscosity ink through airless spray, then ink can be discharged over a distance, but ink separation and precipitation occur causing discharge failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains high pressure parameters through compressed air supply and pressurizing tank to achieve long discharge distance, while simultaneously introducing a circulation system that prevents ink separation. This dual parameter control resolves the contradiction between discharge distance and discharge continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous circulation of high-viscosity ink through the discharge head and back to the pressurizing tank. This continuous action prevents ink separation and precipitation, ensuring reliable discharge while maintaining the high pressure needed for long-range projection.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic head pressure is used for circulation, then the circulation structure can function, but pressure fluctuations cause ink separation and nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mitigation device as a cushioning element in the circulation path that absorbs and dampens pressure fluctuations before they can cause ink separation or nozzle clogging. This beforehand cushioning protects the system while maintaining circulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mitigation device acts as an intermediary element between the circulation system and the ink flow. It mediates pressure variations and prevents harmful effects on the ink, allowing circulation to function while eliminating pressure fluctuation-related damage.
4Reliability
If one pump is used to supply ink to both tanks, then the system can maintain flow-through state, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the circulation system to serve multiple functions: maintaining flow-through state, preventing ink depletion, and ensuring stable pressure. By making the circulation path multi-functional, the system achieves reliable operation without requiring additional specialized components, managing complexity while improving reliability.
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 enables stable and consistent discharge of high-viscosity ink over a distance, preventing ink separation and nozzle clogging, thereby ensuring reliable ink application.
Implementation Method 1
The mitigation device absorbs a fluctuation in pressure of the liquid flowing through the liquid flow path
Implementation Method 2
The compressed air supply source compresses air. The pressurizing tank is supplied with the compressed air from the compressed air supply source and accumulates liquid pressurized by the compressed air
Implementation Method 3
In the circulation path, the feeder circulates the liquid in the liquid flow path in an order of the pressurizing tank, the mitigation device, the discharge head, and the pressurizing tank
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes a compressed air supply source, a pressurizing tank, a feeder, a discharge head, a mitigation device, and a circulation path. The compressed air supply source compresses air. The feeder feeds liquid accumulated in the pressurizing tank to a liquid flow path. The discharge head includes an internal flow path through which the liquid fed from the liquid flow path flows. The discharge head has a nozzle to discharge the liquid from the internal flow path. The mitigation device is installed on the liquid flow path at a position downstream from the pressurizing tank and upstream from the discharge head, and absorbs a fluctuation in pressure of the liquid flowing through the liquid flow path. In the circulation path, the feeder circulates the liquid in the liquid flow path in an order of the pressurizing tank, the mitigation device, the discharge head, and the pressurizing tank.