Reversible Liquid Feeding Unit for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid ejecting apparatuses require separate buffer chambers and choke valves, leading to potential liquid wastage during choke cleaning, especially in printers with a large number of nozzles, as the supply flow path is closed during suction cleaning, causing ink to be discharged and wasted until the path is closed.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a reversible liquid feeding unit and a buffer chamber that changes volume, where the control portion performs reverse feeding of liquid from the buffer chamber to the liquid container before suctioning, allowing the buffer chamber to function as a choke valve and preventing liquid wastage during choke cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate buffer chamber and choke valve are provided in conventional liquid ejecting apparatuses, then the liquid supply function is ensured, but the device complexity increases and liquid wastage occurs during choke cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the buffer chamber and choke valve into a single integrated component. The buffer chamber is configured to automatically function as a choke valve by closing its communication with the liquid ejecting head when negative pressure exceeds a threshold during suction cleaning, thereby eliminating the need for a separate choke valve and reducing structural complexity while maintaining liquid supply reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a liquid buffer during normal operation and automatically acts as a choke valve during suction cleaning when negative pressure increases. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring both liquid supply and cleaning functions work effectively
2Ease of operation
If the supply flow path is closed during suction cleaning in conventional apparatuses, then choke cleaning is enabled, but liquid in the buffer chamber is discharged and wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by reversing the liquid feeding direction before suction cleaning begins. The control portion detects the start of suction cleaning and commands the reversible liquid feeding unit to feed liquid from the buffer chamber back to the liquid container, ensuring the buffer chamber is emptied beforehand so that no liquid is wasted when the flow path closes during cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion uses feedback from detecting the suction cleaning state to automatically adjust the liquid feeding direction. When suction cleaning is detected, the system reverses the feeding direction to prevent liquid wastage, and switches back to normal feeding direction after cleaning completes, optimizing liquid utilization dynamically
3Loss of substance
If a reversible liquid feeding unit is used to prevent liquid wastage, then liquid efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible liquid feeding unit is designed to perform both forward feeding (during normal operation) and reverse feeding (during suction cleaning) functions within a single device. This multi-functionality prevents liquid wastage while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using a single versatile component rather than multiple separate systems
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
Enables choke cleaning without discharging liquid from the buffer chamber, ensuring efficient ink supply and reducing waste, while also notifying users of insufficient ink levels for choke cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid chamber (49) provided in a buffer chamber (38) disposed in the supply flow path, the liquid chamber being configured to change in volume
Implementation Method 2
When cleaning (suction cleaning) for discharging ink in the liquid ejecting head is performed by driving the suction pump while the cap is in contact with the liquid ejecting head to thereby generate a negative pressure
Implementation Method 3
choke cleaning is performed by which air bubbles and thickened ink accumulated in the liquid ejecting head are discharged through the nozzles together with ink ejected by the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid through a nozzle, a supply flow path that supplies liquid from a liquid container containing liquid to the liquid ejecting head, a liquid chamber provided in a buffer chamber disposed in the supply flow path, the liquid chamber being configured to change in volume, a liquid feeding unit of a reversible type disposed in the supply flow path between the liquid container and the liquid chamber, a control portion that controls driving of the liquid feeding unit, and a suction unit that suctions liquid through the nozzle. The control portion controls the liquid feeding unit to perform reverse feeding of the liquid from the liquid chamber to the liquid container before the suction unit suctions the liquid through the nozzle.