Decompression Chamber Partition Wall for Inkjet Printer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet printers face issues with poor printing due to bubble formation in the ink, as the decompression chamber is not reliably airtight, leading to potential re-pressurization when the pump is stopped.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device with a defoaming chamber and a decompression chamber separated by a partition wall, where the partition wall allows gas permeation and regulates liquid permeation, with the liquid supply path passing along the decompression chamber's inner surface to enhance sealing and prevent air from entering the decompression chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the decompression chamber is formed using a separate partition wall member, then gas permeation is enabled and airtightness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The decompression chamber is segmented from the defoaming chamber using a separate partition wall member. This partition wall is formed by blocking a recess in the decompression chamber forming member, creating distinct functional zones while maintaining structural integrity. The segmentation allows independent optimization of gas permeation properties in the partition wall while keeping the overall device manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall is nested within the decompression chamber forming member by blocking a recess. This nested configuration allows the partition wall to be integrated into the chamber structure without requiring completely separate components. The liquid supply path is also nested to pass along the inner surface of the decompression chamber, optimizing space utilization.
2Reliability
If the liquid supply path passes along the inside of the decompression chamber wall, then sealing efficiency is improved due to ink entering between the partition wall and forming member, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply path is configured to pass along the inner surface of the decompression chamber wall, allowing ink to naturally enter the gap between the partition wall and the decompression chamber forming member. This self-service mechanism uses the liquid flow itself to improve sealing, eliminating the need for additional sealing components or complex alignment mechanisms. The ink acts as a self-sealing medium that fills gaps and enhances the seal through its own presence.
3Ease of manufacture
If the partition wall is formed by blocking a recess in the decompression chamber forming member, then assembly is simplified and manufacturing precision is reduced, but the airtightness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply path acts as an intermediary element that passes along the inner surface of the decompression chamber wall. This configuration allows the liquid to mediate the sealing between the partition wall and the decompression chamber forming member, filling gaps and enhancing the seal through capillary action and surface tension, thereby compensating for the simplified assembly structure.
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
Improves the airtightness of the decompression chamber, maintaining the decompressed state even when the pump is stopped, thereby preventing bubble growth and air infiltration, ensuring consistent ink flow and quality.
Implementation Method 1
The partition wall is configured to allow gas to permeate therethrough by decompression of the decompression chamber and to regulate permeation of liquid
Implementation Method 2
a decompression chamber that is provided at a position adjacent to the defoaming chamber with a partition wall interposed therebetween and is decompressed to have lower pressure than the defoaming chamber
Implementation Method 3
a part of liquid flowing through the liquid supply path enters between the partition wall and the decompression chamber forming member. Accordingly, the efficiency of sealing between the partition wall and the decompression chamber forming member can be improved due to the ink entering between the partition wall and the decompression chamber forming member
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device includes a liquid supply path for supplying liquid from an upstream, liquid supply side toward a downstream side where the liquid is consumed. A defoaming chamber in the middle of the liquid supply path causes bubbles to escape from the liquid. A decompression chamber adjacent to the defoaming chamber has a partition wall interposed therebetween and is decompressed to have lower pressure than the defoaming chamber. The partition wall allows gas to permeate therethrough by decompression of the decompression chamber and regulates permeation of liquid. The partition wall is formed by a separate member from a decompression chamber forming member that forms the decompression chamber. The partition wall forms a part of an inner surface of the liquid supply path, and the liquid supply path passes along the inside of a wall portion of the decompression chamber in the decompression chamber forming member.