Flexible Liquid Container Pressing to Prevent Settling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid containers, such as those used for ink, can experience component separation over time, leading to reduced image quality due to settling of coloring materials, which affects the uniformity of the liquid.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus with a support unit, channel forming unit, and pressing unit that physically presses and releases the liquid container to maintain liquid uniformity by mixing and ensuring consistent supply to the discharge apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid container is stored statically over time, then the liquid can be stored without additional energy input, but component separation and settling occur leading to reduced uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit repeatedly presses and releases the liquid container in a periodic manner, creating cyclic pressure changes that induce liquid circulation and prevent component separation. This periodic mechanical action maintains liquid uniformity throughout the storage period without requiring continuous energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static storage state into a dynamic one by introducing periodic pressing actions that create liquid flow and mixing. The flexible liquid container responds to these dynamic pressure changes, allowing the liquid to circulate and mix, thereby preventing settling and maintaining composition stability over time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid container is pressed continuously to prevent settling, then liquid uniformity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous pressing, the system uses periodic pressing cycles where the pressing unit alternates between pressing and releasing states. This intermittent action is sufficient to maintain liquid uniformity while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous pressing, as the liquid circulation and mixing effects are achieved during the cyclic pressure changes rather than requiring sustained force.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a pressing unit is added to the liquid supply apparatus, then liquid uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the inherent flexibility of the liquid container (bag-shaped) as a key component. The pressing unit simply applies external force to this flexible container, causing it to deform and release liquid. The flexibility of the container itself provides the mechanism for liquid circulation and mixing, eliminating the need for complex internal mixing mechanisms within the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid container serves dual functions: it stores the liquid and also acts as the mixing chamber. When the pressing unit applies force, the flexible container deforms and circulates its own contents, using its own structure to achieve mixing without requiring separate mixing components. The container essentially mixes itself through the pressure-induced flow.
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 apparatus ensures uniform distribution of liquids within the container, preventing settling and maintaining image quality by continuously mixing the contents, thereby enhancing the consistency of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing unit configured to repeat a pressing operation and a pressing reduced operation with respect to the liquid container supported by the support unit
Implementation Method 2
form a channel through which liquid flows from the liquid container to a supply destination
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes a support unit configured to support a liquid container having flexibility, a channel forming unit configured to be connected to the liquid container supported by the support means, and form a channel through which liquid flows from the liquid container to a supply destination, and pressing unit configured to repeat a pressing operation and a pressing reduced operation with respect to the liquid container supported by support unit.