Valve Unit Pressure Chamber Curved Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, existing valve units face challenges in preventing stagnation of foreign matter and components in the liquid due to flow path design issues, particularly with film adhesion and pressure adjustment, leading to reduced supply pressure control and sedimentation.
Innovation Solution
A valve unit design featuring a pressure adjustment chamber with a first concave portion that reduces flow path resistance from the inlet to the outlet side, a spring system for stable operation, and a film arrangement that allows for efficient liquid stirring, minimizing sedimentation and foreign matter retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the liquid flows through the pressure adjustment chamber along the shortest distance from inlet to outlet, then the flow efficiency is improved, but the liquid stagnates in areas apart from the straight line connecting inlet and outlet, causing foreign matter and components to remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a curved flow path structure within the pressure adjustment chamber, where the liquid flow path is designed to follow a curved trajectory rather than a straight line. This curvature ensures that liquid flows through all areas of the chamber including side regions, preventing stagnation and uniform distribution of foreign matter and components throughout the chamber volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a film is adhered to the pressure adjustment chamber wall to enable mode switching, then the flow path switching capability is improved, but wrinkles form on the film during heat adhesion, making proper film adhesion difficult and compromising switching operation control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible film element that can deform to change flow paths. The film is designed with specific material properties and mounting characteristics that allow it to switch between different flow path modes (first mode with film not contacting wall, second mode with film contacting wall) without forming wrinkles during the heat adhesion process, thereby maintaining both switching capability and manufacturing precision.
3Ease of operation
If the film abuts on the wall portion during supply pressure adjustment, then the flow path is properly controlled, but the force from atmospheric pressure to the film is transmitted to the wall portion, reducing the force applied to the valve and compromising supply pressure adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the film structure into distinct functional regions: one region that contacts the wall portion for flow path control and sealing, and another region that remains free to respond to pressure differences for actuating the valve. This segmentation allows the film to simultaneously provide flow path control through wall contact while maintaining sufficient force transmission to the valve for proper supply pressure adjustment.
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 design effectively suppresses sedimentation of foreign matter and components within the liquid, ensuring consistent supply pressure and reducing the need for precise film adhesion, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the valve unit.
Implementation Method 1
a spring which urges the valve body to the film
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm is formed on one side surface of the pressure adjustment chamber, using a flexible film. Therefore, when the diaphragm is flexibly deformed in accordance with a pressure difference between a pressure of the liquid in the pressure adjustment chamber and atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a valve unit which opens/closes a flow path and includes a unit-main body having a pressure-adjustment chamber formed therein, a film sealing an opening of the pressure-adjustment chamber, a pressure-receiving plate adhered to the film, a valve body connected to the pressure-receiving plate, and a spring urging the valve body to the film. The pressure-adjustment chamber has an inlet and an outlet through which the liquid flows, a wall portion facing the pressure-receiving plate, and a first-concave portion facing the pressure-receiving plate. The inlet is opened/closed by the valve body and is provided in the first-concave portion. A gap between the wall portion and the pressure-receiving plate is smaller than that between the first-concave portion and the pressure-receiving plate. The wall portion makes the first-concave portion extend from the inlet to a side opposite to the outlet side, with respect to the inlet.