Ink Storage Bottle Flow-Path Asymmetry for Faster Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink refill systems in liquid discharge devices, such as ink jet recording devices, suffer from insufficient ink supply rates and prolonged refill times due to identical flow path lengths and cross-sectional areas in the ink storage bottle's flow paths, leading to inefficient gas-liquid exchange.
Innovation Solution
The ink storage bottle is designed with a first flow path having greater resistance than a second flow path, featuring different space volumes and cross-sectional areas to enhance ink refill speed by optimizing gas-liquid exchange dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two flow paths with identical length and cross-sectional area are used in the ink storage bottle, then gas-liquid exchange can be performed, but the ink supply rate becomes insufficient and refill time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the two flow paths have different cross-sectional areas. The first flow path (for ink) has a larger cross-sectional area than the second flow path (for air), allowing ink to flow more rapidly while still maintaining proper gas-liquid exchange functionality. This local differentiation in flow path dimensions directly addresses the insufficient ink supply rate problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by designing the first flow path with a larger cross-sectional area compared to the second flow path. This asymmetric design creates different flow characteristics for ink and air, enabling the ink to be supplied at a higher rate through the wider first flow path while the narrower second flow path maintains adequate air flow for gas-liquid exchange, thereby reducing refill time.
2Reliability
If long tubes are used for flow paths in the projecting nozzle shape, then gas-liquid exchange is enabled, but the amount of ink supplied per unit time reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the cross-sectional areas of the two flow paths within the nozzle. The first flow path has a larger cross-sectional area optimized for high-volume ink flow, while the second flow path has a smaller cross-sectional area sufficient for air flow. This local optimization allows the long tube structure to maintain gas-liquid exchange reliability while significantly increasing the ink supply amount per unit time through the wider first flow path.
3Ease of manufacture
If identical cross-sectional areas are used for both flow paths, then manufacturing is simplified, but ink refill speed becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different cross-sectional areas for the two flow paths during manufacturing. The first flow path is formed with a larger cross-sectional area than the second flow path, which can be achieved through various manufacturing techniques such as differential molding or post-manufacturing modification. This local differentiation in dimensions directly increases ink refill speed while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 design significantly improves the ink refill speed by ensuring a higher volume of ink flows through the less resistant path, reducing the refill time and maintaining efficient ink supply to the liquid tank.
Implementation Method 1
a flow path resistance of the first flow path is greater than a flow path resistance of the second flow path
Data Source
AI summary
An ink refill system with an ink storage bottle in which, when ink is supplied from an ink storage bottle 20 to a storage chamber 100 of a liquid tank 16, the flow path resistance of a second flow path portion 192 through which the ink flows is less than the flow path resistance of a first flow path portion 191 through which air flows of the two flow path portions provided in a nozzle 110 of the ink storage bottle 20.