Flexible Liquid Storage Tank for Continuous Ink Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in refilling ink without interrupting printing and maintaining a stable de-aeration level, as the liquid surface contacts air during refilling, leading to a gradual drop in de-aeration and increased complexity with de-aeration devices.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a flexible storage tank and a pressable liquid filling inlet that allows for refilling without de-aeration, featuring a zip-lock mechanism and a funnel-shaped liquid filling assist member to manage air entry and maintain an airtight state, enabling continuous printing and preventing de-aeration level drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid storage section is made airtight during refilling, then the de-aeration level is maintained, but the refilling operation becomes complex and requires additional devices
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is constructed with a flexible section that can deform to change volume. During refilling, the flexible section allows the tank volume to increase while maintaining airtightness, eliminating the need for complex de-aeration devices while preserving stable de-aeration level.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage tank volume is made dynamically adjustable through the flexible section. The tank can transition between different volume states during refilling and operation, allowing ink to be added without compromising airtightness or requiring additional de-aeration mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid surface contacts air during refilling, then refilling is simple, but the de-aeration level gradually drops
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible section of the storage tank allows the tank to expand during refilling while maintaining airtightness. This enables simple refilling operations where the liquid surface can contact air during the filling process, yet the airtight seal prevents air from entering the tank, thereby maintaining stable de-aeration level.
3Productivity
If the storage tank volume is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the liquid cannot be refilled without interrupting printing
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank incorporates a flexible section that enables dynamic volume adjustment. This allows the tank to expand during refilling operations without interrupting printing, and contract when refilling is complete, achieving continuous printing capability while maintaining relatively simple overall 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
Enables seamless ink refilling without interrupting printing and eliminates the need for de-aeration devices, maintaining a stable de-aeration level and reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the storage tank is provided with a flexible section having flexibility. The storage tank has a volume that can be changed by the flexible section deforming
Implementation Method 2
a pressing unit that presses the flexible section. This enables the liquid surface of the liquid to be made to rise by pressing the flexible section of the liquid storage section, thereby enabling any air that enters during liquid refilling to be removed easily
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid, and a liquid storage section that stores the liquid to be fed to the liquid ejecting head. The liquid storage section includes a storage tank of which at least part is provided with a flexible section having flexibility, a liquid feed port to feed the liquid to the liquid ejecting head, and a liquid filling inlet to refill the liquid. The liquid filling inlet is capable of opening and closing and capable of being sealed. Moreover, the storage tank has a volume that can be changed by the flexible section deforming.