Variable Volume Pressure Chamber for Liquid Ejecting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses are unable to vary the magnitude of negative pressure applied to a closed space during cleaning, limiting their effectiveness in removing clogs and foreign materials from nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a volume variable pressure chamber, controlled by a controller, which adjusts the volume of the pressure chamber to change the applied negative pressure, allowing for different cleaning intensities based on elapsed time, nozzle failures, and liquid storage exchanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the volume of the pressure chamber is constant, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the magnitude of negative pressure applied to the closed space cannot be changed during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber volume is made variable instead of fixed. The volume variable mechanism allows the pressure chamber volume to be adjusted between a first volume and a second volume, enabling dynamic adaptation of negative pressure magnitude to different cleaning needs while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of pressure chamber volume is changed to control the magnitude of negative pressure applied to the closed space. By varying the volume parameter, the system can adapt to different cleaning requirements (light cleaning vs. intensive cleaning) without fundamentally changing the pressure generation mechanism.
2Stress or pressure
If the pressure chamber volume is increased for intensive cleaning, then the negative pressure magnitude increases, but the time required to accumulate negative pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure chamber volume based on cleaning requirements. For intensive cleaning requiring high negative pressure magnitude, the volume is increased. For light cleaning or when quick response is needed, the volume is reduced, thereby optimizing the balance between pressure magnitude and accumulation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume variable mechanism enables periodic switching between different pressure chamber volumes. The controller can select appropriate volume settings based on the cleaning stage, liquid ejection head condition, and time constraints, creating a flexible periodic action pattern that optimizes both pressure magnitude and accumulation time.
3Speed
If the pressure chamber volume is reduced for quick pressure accumulation, then the response time decreases, but the negative pressure magnitude decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber volume is dynamically adjusted based on real-time cleaning requirements. When quick response is prioritized, a smaller volume provides faster pressure accumulation. When high pressure magnitude is prioritized, a larger volume is selected. This dynamic adaptation resolves the trade-off between speed and pressure magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume parameter is changed to control both the speed of pressure accumulation and the magnitude of negative pressure. By adjusting this single parameter, the system can optimize performance for different operational scenarios without requiring multiple pressure generation systems.
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
Enables efficient cleaning by optimizing the amount of liquid discharged and time for pressure accumulation, adapting negative pressure to the specific needs of each cleaning operation, such as increased pressure for thickened liquids or multiple nozzle failures.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure generated by a negative pressure generator such as a tube pump is accumulated in a pressure chamber of a constant volume, and the accumulated negative pressure is applied to the closed space formed between the cap and the liquid ejecting portion so as to perform cleaning of discharging a liquid from the liquid ejecting portion to an outside via the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid-ejecting-portion configured to eject a liquid from a nozzle; a cap configured to be relatively move with respect to the liquid-ejecting-portion and configured to form a closed space in which the nozzle is open between the cap and the liquid-ejecting-portion; a negative-pressure-generation-mechanism configured to generate a negative pressure; a pressure chamber configured to accumulate the negative pressure by driving the negative-pressure-generation-mechanism; a discharge flow path that communicates with the cap and the pressure chamber; a discharge flow path opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close the discharge flow path; a volume variable mechanism configured to change a volume of the pressure chamber; and a controller that controls the negative-pressure generation-mechanism, the discharge flow path opening/closing mechanism, and the volume variable mechanism.