Ink Bottle Flow Path Layout for Smooth Tank Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In systems with ink tanks and bottles having dual flow paths, ink tends to remain inside the bottle when the amount decreases, while air-liquid exchange is hindered when connected to the tank, making smooth ink injection difficult.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container with a first flow path submerged in liquid and a second flow path for air exchange, ensuring efficient ink flow even when low, using angled orientations and a valve mechanism for easy connection and prevention of leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the bottle has a nozzle implemented by two flow paths, then the ink easily flows into the flow paths even when the amount of ink decreases, but both flow paths are likely to be submerged with ink, making it difficult to perform air-liquid exchange smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into a liquid flow path and an air flow path that are spatially separated. The liquid flow path extends downward from the bottom surface of the bottle, while the air flow path extends upward from the cap, ensuring that liquid and air flows do not interfere with each other, thus resolving the contradiction between ink flow efficiency and air-liquid exchange smoothness
Solution Approach 2:
The flow paths are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The liquid flow path is positioned at the bottom and extends downward, while the air flow path is positioned at the top and extends upward, utilizing vertical dimensionality to separate the two flow paths and prevent mutual submersion
2Ease of operation
If the needle is inserted into the ink bottle, then air-liquid exchange can be performed, but when the amount of ink in the ink bottle is reduced, the liquid surface becomes lower than the opening end of the needle, making it difficult for ink to flow into the flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path opening is extended to the bottom surface of the bottle in advance, ensuring that the flow path remains submerged in ink even when the ink level decreases. This preliminary positioning of the flow path opening prevents the problem of ink surface dropping below the opening end
3Quantity of substance
If both flow paths are submerged with ink, then ink flow is maintained, but air cannot flow through the second flow path, hindering smooth air-liquid exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The two flow paths are segmented into distinct functional zones: the liquid flow path is positioned and oriented to remain submerged in ink for continuous liquid supply, while the air flow path is positioned and oriented to remain above the ink level for unobstructed air flow, thus resolving the contradiction between ink flow maintenance and air flow capability
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 minimal ink remains in the container and facilitates smooth injection into the tank, maintaining effective air-liquid exchange.
Implementation Method 1
the first flow path is likely to be submerged by the liquid in the first storage chamber. Therefore, when the first flow path part defining the first flow path is connected to the sixth opening, the first flow path easily functions as a flow path through which the liquid flows from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber
Implementation Method 2
a water pressure of the liquid acting on the first opening is higher than a water pressure of the liquid acting on the fifth opening, the first flow path easily functions as a flow path through which the liquid flows
Implementation Method 3
the second flow path is in an empty state. Therefore, when the second flow path part defining the second flow path is inserted into the first storage chamber through the third opening, the second flow path easily functions as a flow path through which air flows from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber. Therefore, air-liquid exchange is smoothly performed in which the liquid and air move back and forth
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a system that makes it difficult for a liquid to remain in a liquid container and that makes it possible to smoothly inject the liquid from the liquid container into a tank. A system 10 comprises: a liquid bottle 80 which has a first storage chamber 88; and a tank 100M which has a second storage chamber 111 and to which the liquid bottle 80 is connected. The liquid bottle 80 has a first flow path part 135 that segments a first flow path F1 for connecting a first opening 137 positioned inside the bottle and a second opening 138 positioned outside the first storage chamber 88, and a third opening 140 that causes the first storage chamber 88 to be in communication with the outside. The tank 100M has: a second flow path part 115 that segments a second flow path G1 for connecting a fourth opening 114 positioned at the second storage chamber 111 and a fifth opening 116 positioned outside the second storage chamber 111, and that is inserted from the outside through the third opening 140 into the first storage chamber 88; and a sixth opening 119 that causes the second storage chamber 111 to be in communication with the outside and that is connected to the first flow path part 135.