Suction Assisting Member Gap Design for Bubble Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in preventing bubble formation during the suction process, especially with high-viscosity inks, leading to printing defects and difficulties in cleaning and exchanging the absorber due to its fixed adhesive configuration, which increases the number of parts and costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a suction assisting member that forms a gap between its surface and the cap member's suction hole, allowing for effective suction while preventing bubble generation, and is detachable without adhesives, reducing part count and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an absorber is provided inside the cap to prevent bubble generation, then ink absorption efficiency is improved, but the number of parts and cost increase due to separate holding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The suction assisting member is integrated directly into the cap structure, merging the suction function and bubble prevention function into a single component. The recessed portion of the cap member forms the holding space for the suction assisting member, eliminating the need for separate holding mechanisms and reducing part count while maintaining bubble prevention capability through the gap structure.
2Reliability
If the absorber is fixed to the cap with adhesive, then the absorber is held securely, but cleaning and exchange of the absorber becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The suction assisting member is designed to be detachable from the cap member through the recessed portion structure, transitioning from a fixed state to a movable state. This allows the suction assisting member to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement while still providing secure holding during operation through the recessed fit, enabling maintenance without adhesive removal.
3Reliability
If a gap is provided between the suction assisting member and cap member, then bubble generation is prevented, but suction efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between the suction assisting member and cap member is strategically positioned only at the suction hole region, not throughout the entire component interface. This localized gap structure prevents bubble generation at the critical suction entry point while maintaining close contact in other areas to preserve suction efficiency. The recessed portion provides the gap exactly where bubbles form during ink suction.
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 enables efficient suction of liquids while preventing bubble formation, facilitating easy cleaning and exchange of the suction assisting member, thereby improving printing quality and reducing maintenance complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a suction pump connected to the cap member via a suction hole formed in a surface of the cap member to reduce pressure in the space
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid discharge apparatus capable of sucking liquid in a cap member while suppressing generation of bubbles by a suction assisting member detachable from a cap member. A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head (6) to discharge liquid from a plurality of nozzles, and a suction mechanism (8) to suck the liquid from the liquid discharge head (6). The suction mechanism (8) includes a cap member (30) to contact the liquid discharge head (6) and cover the plurality of nozzles while forming a space between the cap member (30) and the liquid discharge head (6), a suction pump (31) connected to the cap member (30) via a suction hole (31a) formed in a surface of the cap member (30) to reduce pressure in the space, a suction assisting member (32) to cover the suction hole (30a) and the surface in which the suction hole (30a) is formed in the cap member (30), the suction assisting member (32) including a surface that forms a suction path between the suction assisting member (32) and the cap member (30), and a first support (32a) to provide a gap (c1) between the surface that forms the suction path of the suction assisting member (32) and the surface in which the suction hole (31a) is formed.