Solenoid Valve Pressure Feedback for Ink Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with ink leakage due to improper operation of solenoid valves, leading to continuous ink supply and potential large-scale ink leakage when the solenoid valve fails to close properly.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a solenoid valve that switches its open and closed states based on pressure changes within the pressurizing portion, utilizing a displacing mechanism to forcibly control the valve's state, ensuring it closes when pressure is lower than predetermined levels to prevent ink leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a solenoid valve is used to control liquid supply, then the liquid supply can be controlled electrically, but the solenoid valve may fail to close properly causing continuous liquid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where a pressure sensor detects the pressure in the pressurizing portion and sends signals to the control unit. When leakage is detected (pressure below threshold), the control unit automatically adjusts the solenoid valve or pressurizing device to compensate, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures reliable liquid supply control despite solenoid valve failures
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit proactively monitors pressure levels and takes preliminary actions to prevent leakage. When pressure drops below the threshold value, the system preemptively activates the pressurizing device or adjusts the solenoid valve before significant leakage occurs, preventing the harmful effect rather than just responding to it
2Quantity of substance
If pressurized ink is continuously supplied to ensure adequate liquid flow, then the liquid supply is sufficient, but leakage increases when the solenoid valve fails to close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pressurizing force and solenoid valve opening degree based on real-time pressure feedback. The control unit modulates the pressurizing device output and solenoid valve actuation to maintain adequate liquid flow during normal operation while automatically reducing supply when leakage is detected, creating a dynamic balance between supply quantity and leakage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (pressure level, solenoid valve duty cycle) based on detected conditions. When leakage is detected through pressure monitoring, the control unit alters the pressurizing portion output parameters and solenoid valve control parameters to reduce flow rate, thereby reducing leakage while maintaining sufficient supply during normal operation
3Productivity
If the solenoid valve is kept open to ensure continuous liquid supply, then liquid flow is maintained, but ink leakage occurs when closing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure feedback mechanism enables the control unit to distinguish between normal pressure fluctuations and leakage conditions. By continuously monitoring pressure and comparing against threshold values, the system accurately determines when the solenoid valve should be closed, preventing false closure during normal operation while ensuring timely closure when leakage occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on purely mechanical solenoid valve operation with an electronically controlled system incorporating pressure sensing and automated control logic. This substitution allows for more precise and reliable control of the liquid supply, overcoming the limitations of mechanical solenoid valve failure modes
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 effectively prevents ink leakage by forcibly switching the solenoid valve to a closed state during pressure changes, alleviating concerns of continuous ink leakage and enhancing the reliability of the liquid ejecting mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve which is provided in the liquid supply flow path and which opens the liquid supply flow path during energization and closes the liquid supply flow path during de-energization
Implementation Method 2
a pressurizing portion pressurizing an inside of the liquid supply flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head configured to eject a liquid, a liquid supply flow path configured to supply the liquid from a liquid container containing the liquid to the liquid ejecting head, a pressurizing portion pressurizing an inside of the liquid supply flow path, and an solenoid valve which is provided in the liquid supply flow path and which opens the liquid supply flow path during energization and closes the liquid supply flow path during de-energization, in which open and closed states of the solenoid valve are forcibly switched in accordance with a pressure change by the pressurizing portion.