Flexible Liquid Storage Mechanism for Continuous Ink Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting systems, such as those in printers, face interruptions in ink supply when the remaining ink in the liquid supply source becomes low, leading to incomplete printing tasks.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting system with a liquid storage mechanism that includes a flexible storage portion between the liquid supply source and the ejecting portion, generating a second negative pressure to continue ink supply when the storage amount becomes low, allowing for uninterrupted printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid supply source is directly connected to a liquid ejecting portion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the printing process is interrupted when the remaining liquid becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply system is divided into two independent parts: a liquid supply source and a liquid storage portion. The storage portion acts as an intermediate buffer between the supply source and the ejecting portion, allowing the system to maintain liquid supply continuity even when the supply source is depleted.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid storage portion is pre-filled with liquid before the supply source is exhausted. This preliminary storage ensures that the ejecting portion can continue to receive liquid without interruption, even after the main supply source runs dry.
2Productivity
If a liquid storage mechanism is added to ensure continuous supply, then the reliability of printing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid storage portion serves as an intermediary element between the supply source and the ejecting portion. It mediates the liquid transfer process by storing liquid temporarily and releasing it to the ejecting portion through a feeding mechanism, ensuring continuous supply without requiring complex real-time monitoring or refilling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid storage portion includes a flexible part that automatically generates negative pressure when the storage amount decreases, which automatically draws liquid from the supply source through capillary action or pressure differential, eliminating the need for external pumping or complex control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the liquid storage portion generates negative pressure to draw liquid, then the liquid supply continuity is maintained, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible part of the liquid storage portion automatically generates negative pressure through its own deformation when liquid is consumed. This self-generated pressure differential automatically draws liquid from the supply source without requiring external pumps, motors, or complex pressure control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pneumatic pressure differentials created by the flexible storage portion's deformation to drive liquid flow. The negative pressure generated in the storage portion creates a pressure gradient that naturally draws liquid from the supply source through the liquid supply channel.
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 continuous ink supply to the ejecting portion, reducing the risk of printing interruptions and maintaining print quality by storing a predetermined amount of ink, even when the supply source is nearly depleted.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid storage mechanism generates a second negative pressure larger than a first negative pressure in the liquid storage portion when a storage amount of the liquid in the liquid storage portion becomes smaller than a set predetermined amount
Implementation Method 2
The liquid storage portion includes a flexible part having flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting system includes a liquid storage mechanism including a liquid storage portion provided in a liquid supply channel that can supply liquid in a liquid supply source to a liquid ejecting portion, and a second negative pressure larger than a first negative pressure is generated in the liquid storage portion when a storage amount of the liquid in the liquid storage portion becomes smaller than a set predetermined amount, the first negative pressure being a negative pressure that is generated in the liquid supply source when a remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid supply source becomes small.