Printer Head Housing Dry Gas Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting heads in printers face issues with increased humidity due to external air entering the carriage, leading to potential damage from moisture adherence on drive circuits, especially when multiple heads are packed closely, complicating replacement and affecting ink discharge precision.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a hollow housing and a supply mechanism that introduces dry gas into the inner space, maintaining humidity levels below 7 g/m3, and varying the dry gas supply based on the moving and stopped states of the printer to prevent humidity increase and facilitate easy head replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gap is reserved between the liquid ejecting head and the housing to facilitate replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but external air enters through the gap increasing humidity which damages the drive circuit
Solution Approach 1:
A desiccant member is introduced as an intermediary substance placed in the gap between the liquid ejecting head and the housing. This desiccant member actively absorbs moisture from the air that enters through the gap, preventing moisture damage to the drive circuit while maintaining the gap for easy head replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a low-humidity environment within the housing by using the desiccant member to absorb moisture. This effectively creates an inert atmosphere that protects the drive circuit from moisture damage, similar to how inert gases protect sensitive components
2Productivity
If multiple liquid ejecting heads are packed closely to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but the gap for replacement becomes smaller and humidity control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant member serves as a mediator that allows the housing to be sealed or nearly sealed while still protecting against moisture. This enables close packing of multiple heads without compromising the replacement gap, as the desiccant handles the moisture protection function
3Productivity
If multiple liquid ejecting heads are packed closely to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but humidity increases due to reduced air circulation which damages the heads
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant member acts as an intermediary moisture-absorbing element that compensates for reduced air circulation. By placing desiccant members strategically in the housing, moisture is actively removed from the confined space where multiple heads are packed, maintaining reliability despite close packing
Solution Approach 2:
The desiccant members create a low-humidity atmosphere within the housing, effectively establishing an inert environment that protects the multiple closely-packed heads from moisture damage, enabling high productivity without compromising head 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 effectively reduces humidity within the printer's inner space, minimizing the risk of damage to the liquid ejecting heads and drive circuits, enabling stable operation and easier replacement of the heads while maintaining low humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
A supply mechanism is provided which supplies dry gas to an inner space of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a hollow housing with an aperture; a liquid ejecting head; and a supply mechanism. The liquid ejecting head has a nozzle through which liquid is to be discharged. The liquid ejecting head is supported in the housing with the nozzle exposed through the aperture. A gap is reserved between the liquid ejecting head and an inner circumferential surface of the aperture. The supply mechanism supplies dry gas to an inner space of the housing.