Dual Reservoir Liquid Ejection Device Ink Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face an insufficient ink supply when the ejection amount is high, as relying solely on a supply tank cannot meet the demand, leading to potential shortages during increased ejection operations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device with a dual reservoir system and controlled flow channels, where a second reservoir supplements the supply tank, allowing liquid to flow from both reservoirs to the ejection head, with adjustable temperature control and filter systems to manage flow resistance and bubble prevention, enabling efficient ink circulation and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ink is supplied only from a supply tank to the ink jet head, then the device structure is simple, but the ink supply amount becomes insufficient when ejection amount is large
Solution Approach 1:
The single supply tank is segmented into two functional reservoirs: a first reservoir for supplying ink to the ink jet head and a second reservoir for collecting returned ink. This segmentation allows independent management of ink supply and collection functions, enabling sufficient ink supply during high ejection operations while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply tank and collection tank are merged into a unified dual-reservoir system where the second reservoir serves dual purposes: collecting returned ink from the ink jet head and serving as an additional supply source. This merging allows the system to meet high ink demand by drawing from both reservoirs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Quantity of substance
If a dual reservoir system is implemented to increase ink supply, then the ink supply amount becomes sufficient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second reservoir is designed with multi-functionality: it collects returned ink from the ink jet head through the second flow channel and simultaneously serves as an additional ink supply source through the third flow channel connection to the first reservoir. This universal design ensures sufficient ink supply while avoiding the need for completely separate supply and collection systems, thereby controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channels are arranged in a nested hierarchical structure where the first flow channel connects the first reservoir to the ink jet head, the second flow channel connects the ink jet head to the second reservoir, and the third flow channel connects the second reservoir back to the first reservoir. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functions within a compact framework, providing sufficient ink supply while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If temperature control is added to manage liquid flow, then the flow stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature control sections are integrated into both reservoirs to actively manage liquid temperature, thereby stabilizing ink viscosity and flow characteristics. By controlling the temperature parameter, the system ensures consistent flow stability during high-volume ink operations, while the automated temperature management minimizes the need for additional mechanical flow control components.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature detection sections monitor the liquid temperature in real-time and provide feedback to the temperature control sections, which automatically adjust heating or cooling to maintain optimal temperature ranges. This feedback mechanism ensures flow stability without requiring complex manual control systems or additional mechanical flow regulation components.
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 system ensures a stable and sufficient ink supply by switching between states to manage ejection amounts, reducing the likelihood of shortages and maintaining efficient operation during high-demand scenarios, while maintaining a compact design and effective temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid flows from the first reservoir to the liquid ejection head in the first flow channel
Implementation Method 2
the liquid flows from the liquid ejection head to the second reservoir in the second flow channel
Implementation Method 3
the liquid flows from the second reservoir to the first reservoir in the third flow channel
Implementation Method 4
a temperature adjustment section configured to adjust the temperature of the liquid, based on a detection result of the temperature detection section
Data Source
AI summary
A control section controls an ejection operation to eject liquid in each of a first state in which the liquid flows from a supply tank to a liquid ejection head in a supply channel, the liquid flows from the liquid ejection head to a collection tank in a collection channel, and the liquid flows from the collection tank to the supply tank in a feedback channel, and a second state in which the liquid flows from the supply tank to the liquid ejection head in the supply channel and the liquid flows from the supply tank to the liquid ejection head and the liquid flows from the collection tank to the liquid ejection head in the collection channel.