Valve Seat Dynamics for Inkjet Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve technologies for controlling liquid flow and pressure in liquid ejecting systems, such as inkjet printers, face issues with substance accumulation on the valve components, which can lead to performance deterioration due to repeated contact and movement of the valve body and seat, causing incomplete closure and pressure control failures.
Innovation Solution
The valve design incorporates a seat and valve body that move relative to each other during the closed state, with elastic and curved contact surfaces, and inclined contact areas to efficiently remove accumulated substances and improve sealing by maintaining contact while allowing for relative movement, ensuring effective pressure control and prevention of substance accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve body repeatedly comes in contact with and moves away from the channel member to open and close the through hole, then the through hole can be opened and closed, but the substance contained in the liquid accumulates on the channel member and valve body, causing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the contact surface of the channel member movable relative to the valve body while maintaining contact, transforming a static contact interface into a dynamic one. This allows the contact surface to move in the radial direction during valve operation, preventing substance accumulation and maintaining reliable closure performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces movement in the radial direction (perpendicular to the axial opening/closing motion) by making the contact surface movable. This adds another dimension of motion to the valve system, allowing substance to be swept away from the contact interface while maintaining sealing contact.
2Reliability
If the valve body and seat are in direct contact to close the through hole, then the valve achieves closed state, but substance accumulates between the contact surfaces preventing close contact
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is designed to be movable relative to the valve body, creating a dynamic contact interface that actively prevents substance accumulation while maintaining closure. This dynamic mechanism ensures reliable sealing without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable contact surface automatically performs the function of removing accumulated substance through its relative motion with the valve body. The structure serves itself by using the inherent movement between components to maintain cleanliness of the contact interface, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If the contact area of the channel member is fixed, then the valve structure is simple, but substance accumulates on the channel member due to repeated opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the fixed contact area into a movable one that can shift position radially during valve operation. This dynamic contact surface continuously changes its interaction point with the valve body, preventing substance accumulation while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure.
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 removes accumulated substances, enhances sealing properties, and maintains reliable pressure control in the system, preventing performance degradation and ensuring consistent operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the valve body and the seat includes an elastic contact portion that is in contact with the other of the valve body and the seat, and the elastic contact portion is elastically deformed during the second state
Implementation Method 2
the contact surface of the valve body that is in contact with the seat moves in a direction intersecting the first direction with the contact between the seat and the valve body in the first state being maintained
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a seat having a through hole through which ink flows and a valve body that is configured to be in contact with the seat to close the through hole such that the valve is in a closed state and to be separate from the seat to open the through hole such that the valve is in an open state. At least one of the seat and the valve body is configured to move relative to the other of the seat and the valve body while the valve is in the closed state.