Filter Unit Air Bubble Discharge via Curved Chamber Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter units for ink-jet recording apparatuses face challenges in effectively discharging air bubbles from the liquid chamber, leading to potential ink supply hindrances and operation malfunctions due to insufficient air bubble dischargeability, especially in areas with low liquid flow speeds like corners within the chamber.
Innovation Solution
The filter unit design includes a liquid chamber with a discharge port positioned at the central upper end of the downstream chamber, flanked by side walls that incline towards the discharge port, and a tapered flow path width, facilitating air bubble guidance and discharge through the use of inclined side walls and a projecting section to enhance air bubble removal during the purge process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ink chamber outlet port is positioned in the upper end section of the second liquid chamber, then air bubbles can be discharged from the upwardly-positioned outlet port, but air bubbles collected in low flow speed areas such as corners remain difficult to discharge reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the liquid chamber with smooth curved surfaces instead of sharp corners. Specifically, the liquid chamber is designed with a rounded bottom surface and curved transition sections that eliminate angular corners where air bubbles would accumulate. This curvature ensures continuous liquid flow that effectively carries air bubbles toward the outlet port, resolving the contradiction between reliable air bubble discharge and operational ease.
2Reliability
If the liquid chamber has a simple structure with the outlet port in the upper end section, then the device complexity is reduced, but air bubble dischargeability remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using geometric curvature rather than adding mechanical components. The liquid chamber is designed with a rounded bottom surface and curved walls that naturally guide liquid and air flow. This approach improves air bubble dischargeability through flow dynamics while maintaining a simple, component-free structure, thus not increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the liquid chamber, specifically the shape and position of the outlet port. The outlet port is positioned in the upper end section but the chamber geometry is modified with curved surfaces that direct flow toward this port. This parameter change optimizes air bubble discharge without adding structural complexity.
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
This configuration significantly improves air bubble dischargeability, preventing their accumulation and ensuring reliable ink flow to downstream components, thus preventing operation malfunctions and maintaining print quality.
Implementation Method 1
an air bubble mixed into the ink sometimes collects in the liquid chamber... the air bubble grows whereby ink supply to the downstream side of the filter unit is hindered
Implementation Method 2
two first side wall surfaces sandwiching the discharge port in the width direction, as wall surfaces forming the upper end portion of the downstream chamber, each of the two first side wall surfaces inclines with respect to the up-down direction to come closer to the discharge port upwardly, and a flow path width of the upper end portion of the downstream chamber in the width direction gradually decreases upwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A filter unit includes: a liquid chamber forming member having a liquid inlet port, a liquid outlet port, and a liquid chamber communicating with the liquid inlet port and the liquid outlet port; and a filter disposed in the liquid chamber such that a surface direction of the filter lies along an up-down direction, the filter extending to an upper end of the liquid chamber to divide the liquid chamber into an upstream chamber communicating with the liquid inlet port and a downstream chamber communicating with the liquid outlet port. A discharge port joined to the liquid outlet port is disposed in an upper end portion of the downstream chamber at a central portion in a width direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, and the liquid chamber forming member has two first side wall surfaces sandwiching the discharge port in the width direction.