Ink Cartridge Refilling via Bubble Trap and Gravity Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink cartridges for inkjet printing devices face challenges in efficient ink re-filling due to complex configurations and high costs, leading to waste and increased economic losses, with issues of ink leakage and bubble formation affecting the accuracy of liquid residual quantity sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and configuration for ink cartridges with multiple interconnected chambers forming descending and ascending connections, incorporating an injection port in the air communicating passage for easy ink injection and sealing, which prevents bubble flow and maintains the original function, allowing for low-cost re-filling and extended usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid containing chambers are connected with complex configurations to maintain ink quality and prevent leakage, then the reliability of ink storage is improved, but the device complexity increases and makes re-filling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ink container is divided into multiple liquid containing chambers (first, second, and third chambers) with distinct functions. The first and second chambers store ink, while the third chamber serves as a bubble trapping section. This segmentation allows complex ink storage requirements to be met while maintaining manageable individual chamber structures that can be systematically re-filled.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid guide passage acts as an intermediary component connecting the liquid supply hole to the first liquid containing chamber. This passage includes a bubble trap section that mediates between the injection port and the ink storage chambers, preventing bubbles from reaching the sensor while allowing smooth ink flow. The intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by adding functional complexity only where needed without overall system complication.
2Measurement precision
If a liquid residual quantity sensor is equipped to detect ink levels accurately, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases and vulnerability to bubble interference rises
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble trap section is positioned upstream of the liquid residual quantity sensor, performing preliminary action by trapping bubbles before they can reach the sensor. This preliminary filtering action protects the sensor from bubble interference, maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex sensor designs or additional bubble detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful effect of bubbles entering the sensor area is converted into a benefit by designing the bubble trap section that intentionally captures and holds bubbles. The harm (bubbles affecting sensor reading) is transformed into a protective mechanism where bubbles are diverted to a dedicated trapping chamber, thereby preserving sensor accuracy without increasing sensor complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the injection port is formed in the air communicating passage for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of ink leakage and bubble formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid guide passage serves as an intermediary between the injection port and the ink storage system. It includes a bubble trap section that mediates the injection process by capturing air bubbles introduced during re-filling and preventing them from entering the ink chambers. This intermediary structure enables easy injection access while protecting against the harmful effects of bubble formation and ink leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection port's location in the air communicating passage, which could potentially cause bubble formation, is transformed into a benefit. The air communication passage is designed to include a bubble trap section that converts the harmful bubble introduction into a controlled bubble collection mechanism. Bubbles are intentionally allowed to form during injection but are then captured and isolated, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating harmful effects.
4Productivity
If multiple liquid containing chambers are interconnected with descending and ascending connections, then the productivity of ink distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink distribution system is segmented into distinct liquid containing chambers connected by dedicated liquid guide passages. Each chamber can be independently filled and managed, yet they work together as an integrated system. The segmentation allows efficient ink distribution through controlled flow paths while maintaining simple, modular chamber structures that reduce overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid guide passages utilize hydraulic principles to enable automatic ink flow between chambers based on pressure differentials. The descending and ascending connections create natural flow paths that distribute ink efficiently without requiring complex mechanical pumps or valves. The hydraulic design achieves high productivity through passive fluid dynamics while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
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 method enables efficient and cost-effective ink re-filling without damaging the cartridge's original function, reducing waste and operational costs by preventing bubble interference with the liquid residual quantity sensor, thus extending the cartridge's lifespan and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid containing chambers are mutually connected so as to have a descending connection where a pair of the liquid containing chambers are mutually connected so that a liquid flow in the liquid guide passage is a descending flow from above to below and an ascending connection where a pair of the liquid containing chambers are mutually connected so that the liquid flow in the liquid guide passage is an ascending flow from below to above
Data Source
AI summary
A method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container detachably mounted on a liquid consuming device, the liquid container including: a liquid containing chamber in which the liquid can be contained; a liquid supply hole connectable to the liquid consuming device; a liquid guide passage for guiding the liquid contained in the liquid containing chamber to the liquid supply hole; an air communicating passage communicating the liquid containing chamber with an air; and a liquid residual quantity sensor provided in the liquid guide passage and for outputting different signals between in a case where the liquid guide passage is filled with the liquid and in a case where the liquid guide passage includes air entered thereinto, wherein the liquid containing chamber including at least three liquid containing chambers, and wherein the liquid containing chambers are mutually connected so as to have a descending connection where a pair of the liquid containing chambers are mutually connected so that a liquid flow in the liquid guide passage is a descending flow from above to below and an ascending connection where a pair of the liquid containing chambers are mutually connected so that the liquid flow in the liquid guide passage is an ascending flow from below to above, the method includes: forming an injection port, which communicates with the liquid containing chamber, in the air communicating passage; injecting a predetermined amount of liquid through the injection port; and sealing the injection port after injecting the liquid.