Ink Discharge Branching Pipe Design for Pressure Sensor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses face issues with ink contacting pressure sensors due to capillary phenomena, leading to potential clogging of filters and channels in the head, as the ink may solidify and peel off, causing blockages.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a branching pipe with a larger cross-sectional area in the upper tube part and a smaller area in the lower tube part, minimizing ink contact with the pressure sensor and reducing the likelihood of ink being left at the connecting part, thereby preventing solidification and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the inner diameter of the branching pipe is small, then the liquid surface of the ink is easily raised due to capillary phenomenon, but the ink is likely to make contact with the pressure sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The branching pipe is designed with different inner diameters at different locations: a smaller inner diameter in the lower portion (to utilize capillary action for ink rise) and a larger inner diameter in the upper portion (to prevent ink contact with the pressure sensor). This local variation in geometric property resolves the contradiction between achieving sufficient capillary rise and preventing harmful ink contact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner diameter of the branching pipe is great, then the liquid surface of the ink is lowered, but the ink might be left at the connecting part and solidified
Solution Approach 1:
The branching pipe employs localized diameter variation: the lower portion maintains a smaller inner diameter to ensure capillary rise keeps the liquid surface above the connecting part, preventing ink residue and solidification. The upper portion has a larger inner diameter to prevent ink contact with the pressure sensor. This spatial differentiation of geometric properties simultaneously resolves both contradictions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the liquid surface of the ink is lowered than the connecting part, then the ink is less likely to contact the pressure sensor, but the ink left at the connecting part might be solidified and clog the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The branching pipe structure implements local quality differentiation with a smaller inner diameter at the lower portion (near the connecting part) to maintain capillary rise and prevent ink residue, and a larger inner diameter at the upper portion to keep the liquid surface below the pressure sensor. This resolves the contradiction between preventing pressure sensor contact and avoiding channel clogging.
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 effectively reduces ink contact with the pressure sensor and minimizes the occurrence of ink solidification and blockages, ensuring smooth ink flow and preventing channel clogging in the head.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid surface of the ink is more likely to raise up to the position of the upper tube part due to the capillary phenomenon
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an ink discharging apparatus including: a tank configured to store an ink; a head configured to discharge the ink supplied from the tank; a supply pipe connecting the tank and the head; a pump arranged in the supply pipe, the pump being configured to transfer the ink from the tank to the head; a pipe branching upward from the supply pipe; and a pressure sensor connected to an upper end part of the pipe. The pipe has an upper tube part and a lower tube part continuous with the upper tube part. A first cross-sectional area of an internal space of the upper tube part is greater than a second cross-sectional area of an internal space of the lower tube part.