Ink Cartridge Air Bubble Management via Diagonal Port Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink cartridges face challenges in accurately detecting the remaining liquid amount due to air bubbles entering the liquid detecting section, leading to false detection, especially during high-speed printing and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The cartridge design positions the air introducing port and liquid detecting section diagonally to each other, with a pressure receiving plate and valve mechanism that guides air bubbles to form larger bubbles away from the detecting section, reducing false detection by preventing small air bubbles from adhering to the detecting section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is introduced to the liquid chamber to maintain pressure during liquid supply, then liquid supply is enabled, but air bubbles are generated and may enter the liquid detecting section causing false detection
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid chamber is divided into a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber by a partition wall. The first liquid chamber contains the liquid detecting section and is separated from the air introducing port, while the second liquid chamber receives air bubbles. This segmentation prevents air bubbles from reaching the detection section while maintaining pressure balance through the liquid supply port.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication hole is provided in the partition wall to allow pressure equalization between the two liquid chambers without providing a direct path for air bubbles to reach the detection section. This intermediary structure enables pressure balance while blocking harmful air bubbles from contaminating the detection area.
2Measurement precision
If a partition wall is provided to capture air bubbles, then air bubbles can be prevented from entering the liquid detecting section, but small air bubbles can still enter through openings and adhere to the detecting section causing false detection
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall has different properties in different regions: it is solid in most areas to block air bubbles, but contains a communication hole that allows pressure equalization. The liquid supply port is positioned to supply liquid to a specific location that prevents small air bubbles from adhering to the detection section, creating localized protective zones with different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply port is designed to dynamically supply liquid in a direction away from the liquid detecting section, particularly when vibration is applied. This dynamic liquid flow actively prevents small air bubbles from reaching and adhering to the detection section, maintaining detection reliability under varying operational conditions.
3Productivity
If high speed printing is performed to increase productivity, then printing output increases, but the amount of liquid supplied per unit time increases making it difficult to form large air bubbles and reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall and communication hole structure is pre-configured to automatically separate air bubbles from the liquid flow path before they can reach the detection section. This preliminary separation action occurs continuously regardless of printing speed, ensuring that even during high-speed printing when air bubble formation is rapid, the detection section remains free of interfering bubbles.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply port dynamically adjusts liquid flow direction and pressure to counteract the increased air bubble generation during high-speed printing. The system adapts to varying printing speeds by maintaining optimal liquid flow characteristics that prevent small air bubbles from adhering to the detection section, ensuring accurate detection across all operating speeds.
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 effectively reduces false detection by preventing small air bubbles from reaching the liquid detecting section and efficiently forming larger air bubbles, improving detection accuracy even during high-speed printing.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid detecting section provided inside the liquid chamber to optically detect liquid
Implementation Method 2
a first biasing member biasing the pressure receiving plate in a direction for enlarging an inner space of the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 3
a valve mechanism including a valve body and a second biasing member biasing the valve body in a direction for closing the air introducing port
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the invention is to provide a cartridge in which the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid chamber can be accurately detected. The air introducing port is provided in a position closer to an upper end of the largest outer surface in a vertical direction and in a position closer to a left end of the largest outer surface relative in a horizontal direction. The liquid detecting section is provided in a position closer to a lower end of the largest outer surface in the vertical direction and in a position closer to a right end of the largest outer surface in the horizontal direction.