Fluid Delivery Device with Permeable Bodies for Volumetric Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluidic structures for dispensing fluid, such as inkjet printheads, suffer from inefficiency, resulting in significant fluid wastage and increased device size, which affects cost, fragility, and shipping costs due to the inability to utilize more than about 90% of the stored fluid.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fluid container with a standpipe and open areas containing a hydrophilic major fluid permeable body and multiple hydrophobic fluid permeable bodies below the standpipe, which cooperate to evacuate fluid from void areas and ensure efficient dispensing, reducing residual fluid and device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional fluidic structures are used to dispense fluid, then the device can operate and dispense fluid, but the device cannot dispense more than about 90 percent of the stored fluid, leaving significant undispensed fluid waste
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the fluid storage and delivery system into distinct functional zones: a storage chamber for bulk fluid storage, and a delivery chamber with permeable bodies for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows the device to maintain a compact size while ensuring complete fluid utilization by directing all fluid from storage through the permeable delivery structures, eliminating the 90% waste problem of conventional single-chamber designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs porous permeable bodies (such as foam structures) in the delivery chamber that allow fluid to pass through while maintaining back pressure. These porous materials enable complete fluid evacuation from the storage chamber by capillary action and pressure differential, ensuring 100% fluid utilization without requiring excessive device volume or complex mechanical pumping mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If the device stores more fluid to improve volumetric efficiency, then the fluid capacity increases, but the device volume and mass increase, affecting fragility and shipping costs
Solution Approach 1:
The device nests the delivery chamber with permeable bodies inside the storage chamber, creating a compact hierarchical structure. The permeable delivery structures are positioned within the fluid storage space, allowing maximum fluid capacity within minimum external volume. This nested configuration enables the device to store and dispense complete fluid volumes without requiring additional external space for separate delivery mechanisms.
3Quantity of substance
If the device is made larger to store more fluid, then the fluid capacity increases, but the device mass increases, negatively affecting fragility during shipping and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments fluid storage from fluid delivery functions, allowing compact integration. The permeable delivery bodies are positioned within the storage chamber volume, eliminating the need for separate external delivery tanks or pumping systems. This segmentation achieves complete fluid utilization with minimal device mass.
4Device complexity
If conventional fluidic structures are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device requires larger volume to accommodate undispensed fluid, increasing cost and shipping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses porous permeable bodies (foam structures) that provide complex fluid management functionality within a simple overall device architecture. These porous materials automatically regulate fluid flow through capillary action and back pressure without requiring complex mechanical controls, valves, or pumps, achieving complete fluid dispensing while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 enhances volumetric efficiency, reducing fluid waste and device size, allowing for more fluid to be dispensed and improving shipping and handling by maintaining appropriate back pressure with minimal compression, thus addressing the inefficiencies of conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
A first fluid permeable body is located in the fluid container above the fluid entrance end of the standpipe. A plurality of second fluid permeable bodies are located in the open areas of the fluid container below the first fluid permeable body and below the fluid entrance end of the standpipe.
Implementation Method 2
The first and the second fluid permeable bodies cooperate to promote voiding of the fluid from the open areas during use of the fluidic delivery device
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic delivery device having improved volumetric efficiency. The device includes a fluid container having a standpipe at a lower end of the container and open areas located below a fluid entrance end of the standpipe; a first fluid permeable body located in the fluid container above the fluid entrance end of the standpipe; and one or more second fluid permeable bodies located in the open areas of the fluid container below the first fluid permeable body and below the fluid entrance end of the standpipe.