Ink Cartridge Venting Layout for Stable Reservoir Liquid Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a constant liquid surface height in the reservoir tank, leading to unstable printing operations due to fluctuations in liquid surface height and pressure applied to the ejection head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply system with a liquid reservoir tank and cartridge configuration that includes a first air communication portion, a first connection portion for liquid communication, and a second connection portion for air communication, ensuring the liquid surface is maintained at a constant level by controlling the flow of liquid and air communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If both the liquid reservoir tank and the cartridge individually communicate with the air, then the liquid can flow between them to equalize surface heights, but the liquid surface height in the reservoir tank fluctuates greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air communication function into the reservoir tank by providing a air communication portion in the reservoir tank that communicates with the cartridge's air communication port. This integration ensures that both the reservoir tank and cartridge share a common air space, allowing liquid to flow between them while maintaining stable liquid surface height through coordinated air-liquid communication rather than independent air communication.
2Reliability
If the liquid surface height fluctuates greatly in the reservoir tank, then the liquid can be supplied from the cartridge, but the pressure applied to the liquid ejection head fluctuates largely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the air communication portion in the reservoir tank continuously monitors and responds to liquid level changes. When liquid flows from the cartridge to the reservoir tank, the air pressure and liquid level are coordinated through the shared air space, automatically adjusting to maintain stable liquid surface height and consistent pressure supply to the ejection head, thereby ensuring reliable printing operations.
3Ease of operation
If the second connection portion is located above the liquid surface in the cartridge, then air communication is enabled, but liquid cannot be supplied properly to the reservoir tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the second connection portion in the cartridge at a specific vertical location that is both above the liquid surface to enable air communication and below the liquid level to facilitate proper liquid supply. This dimensional positioning allows the connection portion to serve dual functions: maintaining air pressure equilibrium while enabling liquid flow from the cartridge to the reservoir tank through the coordinated air-liquid communication system.
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 maintains a stable liquid surface height in the reservoir tank, ensuring consistent pressure to the ejection head, thereby facilitating stable printing operations and reducing liquid evaporation and viscosity changes.
Implementation Method 1
a second connection portion configured to be located above the first connection portion, liquid-tightly connected with the cartridge, and capable of bringing the cartridge and the first air communication portion into air communication
Implementation Method 2
since both of the liquid reservoir tank and the cartridge individually communicate with the air, the ink flows until the heights of the liquid surfaces inside them become even
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply system including a liquid reservoir tank communicating with a liquid ejection head to eject a liquid and a cartridge to reserve the liquid to be supplied to the reservoir tank and to be mounted on the tank. The tank includes a first air communication portion for air-communication of an inside and an outside of the tank, a first connection portion to connect the cartridge and the tank into liquid communication when the cartridge is mounted on the tank, and a second connection portion located above the first connection portion, liquid-tightly connected with the cartridge to connect the cartridge and the first air communication portion into air communication, when the cartridge is mounted on tank. The second connection portion is below a liquid surface of the liquid reserved in the cartridge when the cartridge in an initial state is mounted on tank.