Ink Circulation Tank Geometry for Uniform Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing systems face issues with ink concentration unevenness due to inconsistencies in ink density, leading to uneven color printing, as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-199579, where the configuration of ink supply and collection can result in higher ink concentration re-supply to the print head, causing color inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a tank, supply channel, replenishment channel, and a stirring unit that rotates to stir the ink, with the first distance from the supply port to the replenishment port being less than the second distance from the replenishment port to the supply port, ensuring uniform ink concentration by efficiently mixing ink collected from the print head with replenishment ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink is collected from the print head and re-supplied directly to the print head, then ink supply efficiency is improved, but ink concentration unevenness increases causing color inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ink circulation path into distinct segments: a first circulation path for collecting and supplying ink, and a second circulation path for replenishing ink. This segmentation allows independent control of ink collection and replenishment processes, preventing concentration unevenness while maintaining supply efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a circulation tank as an intermediary component between the print head and the replenishment source. The tank acts as a buffer that receives collected ink, mixes it with replenishment ink, and then supplies uniformly concentrated ink to the print head, eliminating direct re-supply of unconcentrated ink.
2Productivity
If replenishment ink is supplied directly to the print head, then replenishment efficiency is improved, but ink concentration control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mixing of replenishment ink with collected ink in the circulation tank before supplying to the print head. This preliminary action ensures that concentration uniformity is established in advance, preventing color inconsistencies while maintaining efficient replenishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation tank serves as an intermediary that receives replenishment ink, mixes it thoroughly with collected ink, and then supplies the uniformly concentrated mixture to the print head. This intermediary approach maintains replenishment efficiency while ensuring precise concentration control.
3Productivity
If a circulation mechanism is added to collect and re-supply ink, then ink usage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation tank performs multiple functions: collecting ink from the print head, mixing replenishment ink with collected ink, and supplying uniformly concentrated ink back to the print head. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing device complexity while improving ink usage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the collection, mixing, and replenishment functions into a single integrated circulation tank system. This consolidation achieves efficient ink usage while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple functions into one component.
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 reduces ink concentration unevenness, ensuring consistent ink supply to the print head, thereby improving the quality and uniformity of printed images by maintaining uniform ink density.
Implementation Method 1
a stirring unit in the tank, the stirring unit being configured to stir the liquid in the tank by rotating in a first rotation direction
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a tank configured to store a liquid to be supplied to a print head, a supply channel configured to supply the liquid from the tank to the print head, a replenishment channel configured to replenish the tank with the liquid, and a stirring unit in the tank, the stirring unit being configured to stir the liquid in the tank by rotating in a first rotation direction. A first distance from a supply port at which the supply channel opens in the tank to a replenishment port at which the replenishment channel opens in the tank in the first rotation direction is less than a second distance from the replenishment port to the supply port in the first rotation direction.