Applicator Air Communication Pipe Ink Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct liquid type applicators face challenges with air inflow resistance and ink supply control, leading to inefficient ink discharge and potential ink leakage due to gas-liquid exchange mechanisms, especially with high-viscous inks.
Innovation Solution
An applicator design featuring a main body with a storage chamber, an application body, a partition with a flow passage, an axially movable air communication pipe that closes the flow passage, and an urging unit to control liquid outflow, allowing communication with the atmosphere to stabilize ink supply and prevent ink-rich states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a through hole with gap is used for gas-liquid exchange, then air can flow into the storage chamber, but ink is pushed out to the reservoir chamber causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function (ink push-out) from the gas-liquid exchange mechanism by separating the air inlet function from the ink storage region. The air inlet is positioned to allow air flow without directly pushing ink into the reservoir chamber, thus removing the harmful effect while preserving the beneficial gas-liquid exchange function.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition structure acts as an intermediary element between the storage chamber and reservoir chamber. It controls the interaction between air flow and ink, allowing gas exchange while preventing direct contact between pushed air and ink that would cause leakage. The partition mediates the conflict between air inflow and ink containment.
2Productivity
If air inlet is opened in storage chamber, then air inflow is allowed, but ink supply control becomes difficult leading to ink-rich state
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the storage chamber. The air inlet is positioned in a specific location with different properties from the ink storage region, allowing air to enter without disrupting ink supply control. This localized approach enables both efficient air inflow and precise ink control.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage chamber is segmented into distinct functional regions: an air inlet region for gas exchange and an ink storage region for liquid containment. This segmentation allows independent control of air flow and ink supply, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If relay core is inserted through partition, then gas-liquid exchange occurs, but ink is held in gap causing writing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the relay core structure that caused writing issues while preserving the capillary action function. By extracting the problematic component (relay core with ink-holding gap) and replacing it with a controlled air inlet system, the patent eliminates writing smoothness problems while maintaining reliable gas-liquid exchange through capillary forces at the ink-nap interface.
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 ensures smooth and controlled liquid application by minimizing ink outflow to the application body, improving gas-liquid exchange sensitivity, and maintaining stable ink supply even with high-viscous liquids.
Implementation Method 1
The ink can be held under capillary force in the gap between the inner surface of the partition extension part and the outer circumferential surface of the relay core along the axial direction.
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator includes a main body, a storage chamber disposed in the main body, an application body disposed at an end of the main body to allow application of the liquid stored in the storage chamber. A partition for partitioning between the storage chamber side and the application body side, includes a flow passage to supply the liquid in the storage chamber to the application body. An axially movable air communication pipe having an air port open to the storage chamber, which abuts on the partition to close the flow passage, communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere while having the flow passage closed. A spring member for urging the air communication pipe to abut on the partition, and separating the air communication pipe from the partition through vibration of the main body allows guiding of the liquid in the storage chamber.