Liquid Discharge Apparatus Sub Tank Inclination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid discharge apparatuses, variations in the inclination of sub tanks relative to the heads lead to differences in water head and negative pressure, causing inconsistent performance among the heads.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus adjusts the inclination of sub tanks and uses a displacement member with sensors to maintain a consistent negative pressure across all heads by controlling the liquid supply, ensuring uniform liquid levels and minimizing variations in water head differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sub tanks are arranged to be inclined as the heads, then the structure adapts to the head inclination, but the water head difference between heads and sub tanks varies causing negative pressure variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each sub tank have a different inclination angle matched to its corresponding head's inclination angle. This allows each sub tank-head pair to have optimal structural adaptation while the system as a whole maintains consistent negative pressure through individualized configuration rather than uniform arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves equipotentiality by adjusting the inclination angles of sub tanks so that the water head difference between each sub tank and its corresponding head remains equal despite different inclination angles. This creates equivalent hydraulic potential conditions across all head-sub tank pairs, ensuring consistent negative pressure application.
2Reliability
If sub tanks are made with different heights to equalize water head differences, then negative pressure variation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring each sub tank with a specific inclination angle that differs from other sub tanks, matching the asymmetry of head inclinations. This asymmetric arrangement naturally equalizes water head differences without requiring additional height adjustments or complex mechanical structures, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the liquid level in sub tanks varies according to inclination degree, then the sub tank structure adapts to different angles, but the water head difference varies causing performance inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the inclination angle parameter of each sub tank to match its corresponding head's inclination angle. This parameter adjustment equalizes the water head difference across all sub tank-head pairs, ensuring consistent negative pressure and liquid discharge performance while maintaining adaptation to different inclination angles.
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 reduces variations in negative pressure between heads, enhancing the stability and consistency of the liquid discharge process, thereby improving print quality and reducing downtime due to efficient liquid supply management.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure generating unit that generates negative pressure in order to supply the liquid from the sub tank to the head
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member that presses the flexible film
Implementation Method 3
a flexible film that is pressed by the elastic member; a displacement member that is displaced according to a remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a plurality of head units (200) configured to discharge liquids, a plurality of sub tanks (300) configured to respectively store the liquids to be supplied to the plurality of head units (200), and a plurality of upper limit detectors (331) configured to respectively detect upper limits of remaining amounts of liquid in the plurality of sub tanks (300). At least two of the plurality of upper limit detectors (331) of corresponding at least two of the plurality of sub tanks (300) detect different upper limits of the remaining amounts of liquid in the at least two of the plurality of sub tanks (300).