Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Return Channel Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in efficiently discharging liquid from circulation channels due to sedimentation of pigments, leading to uneven ink density and clogging issues, which are not effectively addressed by existing circulation and cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a supply channel, return channel, and communication channel, where the return channel is connected to the outside through the communication channel, allowing for a return-channel replacement operation driven by a pump to efficiently discharge liquid from the circulation channel to the supply channel side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ink is circulated through the circulation channel to prevent sedimentation, then ink density uniformity is improved, but liquid discharge efficiency deteriorates due to ink remaining in the return channel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid discharge function from the circulation channel by providing a separate discharge channel that is selectively openable. This allows the circulation channel to maintain ink circulation for uniformity while the discharge channel enables efficient liquid removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between circulation stability and discharge efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid discharge path is segmented into two separate channels: a circulation channel for maintaining ink uniformity and a discharge channel for efficient liquid removal. The discharge channel can be selectively opened or closed, allowing the system to switch between circulation mode and discharge mode, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining ink density uniformity and achieving efficient liquid discharge
2Reliability
If cleaning liquid is used to wash off sunk substance in the circulation channel, then ink quality is improved, but the complexity of the cleaning system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump serves multiple functions: it circulates ink to prevent sedimentation during normal operation and drives cleaning liquid through the circulation channel during cleaning operations. This multi-functionality improves ink quality through effective cleaning while avoiding the need for separate cleaning mechanisms, thereby reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system is designed to perform its own cleaning function by circulating cleaning liquid through the circulation channel using the existing circulation pump. This self-service cleaning capability improves ink quality by removing sunk substances without requiring external cleaning systems, thus maintaining simple system architecture
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 solution enables efficient discharge of liquid from the circulation channel, preventing sedimentation and clogging, and allows for effective replacement of liquids in the supply and return channels, enhancing the operational stability and print quality of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is designed to cause fluid in the circulation channel to flow
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit and a pump. The liquid ejecting apparatus has a supply channel, a return channel, and a communication channel. The supply channel is designed to be able to supply the liquid from a liquid supply source to the nozzle. The return channel has ends connected to the supply channel and forms, together with the supply channel, a circulation channel. The communication channel is connected to the return channel and allows communication between an inside of the return channel and an outside. In a state in which the return channel communicates with the outside through the communication channel, the pump is driven so as to perform a return-channel replacement operation in which the liquid in the return channel is discharged to the supply channel side.