Capillary Relay Core Ink Supply Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid supply devices face challenges in maintaining stable ink storage amounts during temperature and positional variations, leading to inconsistent ink supply and increased complexity and cost due to multiple partitions and ink leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device with a single ink storage chamber and a reservoir chamber equipped with an ink absorbing material and a seal formed by capillary forces, where the ink is held by gaps between the partition and the relay core, reducing ink flow into the reservoir chamber and maintaining consistent ink levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple partitions and ink holding materials are provided to prevent ink leakage and maintain ink levels, then ink supply stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary partitions and ink holding materials from the conventional structure. By using a single partition with a through hole and relying on capillary action in the relay core and gap spaces, the design removes multiple partitions and separate ink holding materials while maintaining ink supply stability through the simplified single-partition structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple partitions and ink holding materials into a single integrated partition structure with a through hole. The relay core inserted through the hole combines the ink conduction and sealing functions, eliminating the need for separate ink holding materials and multiple partitions while maintaining reliable ink supply.
2Reliability
If multiple partitions and ink holding materials are provided to prevent ink leakage, then ink leakage is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary partitions and separate ink holding materials from the conventional multi-component structure. By using a single partition with a through hole and utilizing the capillary action of the relay core and gap spaces, the design reduces the number of parts to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective ink leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive single-partition structure that replaces complex, expensive multi-partition assemblies. The use of readily available porous materials for the relay core and the elimination of multiple precision-machined partitions reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity, making the solution more cost-effective.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ink storage chamber is divided by multiple partitions to reduce ink drain, then ink storage amount stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates multiple partitions from the ink storage chamber design. By using a single partition with a through hole and relying on the capillary action of the relay core and the gap spaces formed during assembly, the design maintains stable ink storage amounts without the complexity of multiple partitions dividing the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the relay core as an intermediary element that mediates between the ink storage chamber and the application portion. The relay core, along with the gap spaces, acts as a mediator that controls ink flow and maintains pressure balance, eliminating the need for multiple partitions while ensuring stable ink storage amounts.
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 stable ink supply with reduced variations in ink storage amounts, simplified assembly, and cost-effectiveness by minimizing the need for multiple partitions and ink absorption mechanisms, while maintaining high sensitivity and preventing ink leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a gap to hold the ink by capillary force is formed between the outer periphery of the ink supply material and an inner wall of the through hole
Implementation Method 2
the ink membrane held in the through hole breaks due to an increase or decrease in the pressure inside the ink storage chamber, and the so-called gas-liquid exchange action is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device has a main body having a hollow portion; a partition that divides the hollow portion into a liquid storage chamber; a reservoir chamber communicated with the atmosphere; and a through hole formed in the partition. An application material is provided in the main body and applies the liquid in the liquid storage chamber. A porous relay core supplies the liquid in the storage chamber to the application material and is inserted in the through hole to form a gap with an inner wall of same, the gap holding the liquid by capillary force. A partition extending portion extends from the partition and protrudes to the liquid storage chamber side along the relay core. The relay core is inserted to form a gap holding the liquid by capillary force.