Buffer Chamber Liquid Retention in Inkjet Supply Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid supply devices for printing systems face challenges such as liquid leakage due to changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and attitude, leading to inefficiencies in liquid distribution and increased space requirements, along with design inflexibility and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device design featuring a liquid containing chamber, an air communication path with a buffer chamber, and strategically positioned connection ports to manage fluid flow, reducing the likelihood of liquid remaining in the buffer chamber and allowing for flexible design and space optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid supply device is designed with a buffer chamber in the air communication path to suppress liquid leakage, then liquid leakage is reduced, but the liquid may remain in the buffer chamber causing further leakage and reduction in liquid supply to the ejection head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamic principle by enabling the liquid supply device to change its attitude (orientation) between a use attitude and a refill attitude. This dynamic repositioning allows the liquid to flow back to the liquid containing chamber from the buffer chamber through gravity-driven flow, preventing liquid accumulation in the buffer chamber while maintaining leakage suppression functionality.
2Device complexity
If the liquid containing chamber is integrated with the air containing chamber, then the device structure is simplified, but a large space is required inside the printer housing to allow for attitude change during liquid refill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the liquid containing chamber from the air containing chamber into distinct components. The liquid containing chamber can be detached and refilled independently, allowing for a more compact integrated structure within the printer housing while still enabling the necessary attitude change during refill operations.
3Ease of operation
If the second connection portion is positioned in the lower area of the buffer chamber, then liquid flow control is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the second connection portion in the lower area of the buffer chamber. This localized positioning creates a specific gravitational flow path that enables liquid to return to the liquid containing chamber, improving liquid flow control without requiring complex additional mechanisms throughout the entire device.
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 effectively minimizes liquid leakage, optimizes liquid distribution, reduces space requirements, and enhances design flexibility, while also lowering manufacturing costs and resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer chamber is configured to suppress leakage of a liquid contained in the liquid containing chamber to the outside in response to a change in environment (for example, a change in atmospheric pressure, a change in temperature or a change in attitude)
Implementation Method 2
in response to a change in atmospheric pressure or a change in temperature, there is a likelihood that the liquid contained in the liquid containing chamber is pressed out to flow into the buffer chamber provided in the middle of the air communication path
Implementation Method 3
the second connection portion is placed in a lower area in a vertical direction of the buffer chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A technique of reducing the possibility that a liquid remains in a buffer chamber is provided. There is provided a liquid supply device configured to supply a liquid to a liquid ejection head. The liquid supply device comprises a liquid containing chamber configured to contain the liquid; an air communication path configured to include a first connection portion at one end that is connected with the liquid containing chamber and an air outlet port at the other end that is open to the atmosphere; and a buffer chamber provided in the middle of the air communication path. The air communication path includes a connection path that is located on a downstream side of the buffer chamber in the air communication path in a flow direction of a fluid from the air outlet port toward the liquid containing chamber and is configured to include a second connection portion at an upstream end connected with the buffer chamber. When the first connection portion is exposed to the liquid in the liquid containing chamber, the second connection portion is placed in a lower area in a vertical direction of the buffer chamber.