Auxiliary Tank Double Wall Structure for Ink Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
During purging operations of ink-jet heads, high pressure from the pump can cause ink supply tube damage and leakage due to clogged nozzles or pressure pulsation, leading to ink leakage from the supply tube.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with an auxiliary tank featuring an inner liquid flow space enclosed within an outer wall structure, which includes an outer ink flow space and an inner ink flow space, where the inner ink flow space communicates with the liquid supply portion, preventing ink leakage even if the inner wall structure is damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure is applied to the ink supply tube during purging operations, then the ink can be supplied effectively to the ink-jet head, but the ink supply tube may be damaged or broken, causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested wall structure where an inner wall is enclosed within an outer wall of the tank. The inner wall defines an inner liquid flow space that is separate from the outer liquid flow space. This nested configuration provides a protective barrier where the outer wall protects the inner wall from pressure-induced damage, while still allowing effective ink supply through the inner flow space during high-pressure purging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank is divided into separate liquid flow spaces (inner and outer) by the nested wall structure. This segmentation isolates the high-pressure ink flow path within the inner flow space, preventing pressure transmission to the outer wall and subsequent leakage, while maintaining effective ink delivery to the ink-jet head through the inner flow space.
2Strength
If the tank wall structure is made thicker or stronger, then the resistance to pressure damage improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single thick wall, the patent employs a nested structure with an inner wall and outer wall. This provides the necessary pressure resistance through the dual-wall configuration while maintaining simpler manufacturing compared to a single thick wall, as each wall can be manufactured separately and then assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank wall is segmented into inner and outer walls with a space between them. This segmentation allows each wall to be optimized independently for its specific function (inner wall for flow containment, outer wall for pressure protection) and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating a single monolithic thick wall.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid-ejecting head for ejecting a liquid, a tank for storing the liquid to be supplied to the liquid-ejecting head, and a liquid supply portion configured to supply the liquid from the tank to the liquid-ejecting head, wherein the tank includes an inner wall structure which is enclosed within an outer wall of the tank and which defines therein an inner liquid flow space which communicates with the liquid supply portion and through which the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply portion to the liquid-ejecting head.