Valve Nozzle Spring Mechanism Prevents Ink Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve type inkjet nozzles using piezoelectric elements face issues with ink leakage when the applied voltage drops or power fails, leading to unnecessary ink consumption and nozzle clogging.
Innovation Solution
A moving mechanism, such as a counter-spring mechanism, is interposed between the piezoelectric element and the valve element, allowing the valve element to close the discharge port when the voltage is zero or during power failure, preventing ink leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a piezoelectric element is used to control the valve element for opening and closing the discharge port, then the driving speed of the valve is improved, but ink leakage occurs when voltage drops or power fails
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to exert a closing force on the valve element before any voltage failure occurs. This preliminary opposing force ensures that when voltage drops or power fails, the valve element is automatically pushed closed to prevent ink leakage, directly addressing the reliability issue while maintaining the piezoelectric-driven high-speed opening capability
2Reliability
If voltage is continuously applied to keep the discharge port closed, then ink leakage is prevented, but power consumption increases and power failure risk remains
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-configured and pre-loaded during assembly to automatically provide the closing force when needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for continuous power application to maintain the closed state, as the mechanical pre-loaded spring takes over the function of keeping the valve closed during normal operation and during power failures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical control system (continuous voltage application) with a mechanical system (pre-loaded spring mechanism) to maintain the closed state of the discharge port. This substitution eliminates continuous power consumption while ensuring reliability, as the mechanical spring provides passive, power-free closure force
3Use of energy by moving object
If the valve element opens during power failure, then power consumption is reduced, but ink leakage and nozzle clogging occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-loaded spring mechanism is designed to automatically counteract any opening tendency of the valve element during power failure. The spring's pre-stored mechanical energy creates an immediate closing action when electrical power is lost, preventing ink leakage and subsequent nozzle clogging while allowing the system to be in a low-power state
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 configuration effectively prevents ink leakage and nozzle clogging, reducing ink wastage and maintaining the nozzle's functionality even during power disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element 104 embedded in the nozzle body 101, and extending and contracting (extending and contracting in a left-right direction in FIGS. 3A and 3B) in accordance with application of a voltage from an outside
Data Source
AI summary
A valve type nozzle controls discharge of liquid by opening and closing an discharge port by a valve element, the discharge port being configured to discharge the liquid, and the valve element being formed movably by applying a predetermined voltage to a piezoelectric element, whereby when the predetermined voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the valve element moves in a direction where the moving mechanism opens the discharge port when the piezoelectric element extends. This allows the liquid to be discharged. Further, when the application of the voltage to the piezoelectric element is released, the moving mechanism returns to an original shape, by which the valve element closes the discharge port is closed to prevent the discharge of the liquid.