Ink Container Opening Layout for Bubble-Free Inkjet Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording devices face issues with ink quality deterioration due to bubble ingress and viscosity increase in the ink flow path, leading to potential ejection errors in the recording head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design with strategically positioned openings on an imaginary circle for ink flow inlet, outlet, and bubble exhaust, along with an inner cylinder part to prevent bubble ingress and promote ink stirring, ensuring efficient ink flow and bubble removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional liquid container is used in the ink flow path, then the structure is simple, but bubbles can enter the ink flow path causing ejection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is segmented into multiple functional openings (first liquid flow inlet, second liquid flow inlet, liquid flow outlet) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows separate control of ink inflow and outflow paths, enabling bubbles to be excluded from the ink flow path while maintaining structural organization
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the container are assigned different functions: the first liquid flow inlet is positioned to allow ink flow while excluding bubbles, the second liquid flow inlet serves as a backup or alternative path, and the liquid flow outlet is strategically located to discharge ink away from bubble accumulation zones. This local differentiation of functions resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Reliability
If ink is stored in a simple container, then the device complexity is low, but ink viscosity increases leading to quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is divided into multiple openings positioned at different heights and locations. This segmentation creates multiple ink circulation paths that prevent stagnant zones, thereby preventing viscosity increase while maintaining a relatively simple overall container structure
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-opening configuration enables periodic ink circulation through the container. Ink continuously flows in through the inlets and out through the outlet, creating a circulation pattern that prevents viscosity buildup without requiring complex active agitation mechanisms
3Reliability
If bubbles are allowed to remain in the ink flow path, then the device structure remains simple, but image formation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts bubbles from the ink flow path by positioning the liquid flow outlet to discharge ink from a location where bubbles have separated and accumulated. This passive bubble extraction method improves image formation quality without adding active bubble removal mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that bubbles will form and accumulate in certain regions of the container, but strategically positions the liquid flow outlet to draw ink from bubble-free zones. This converts the harmful presence of bubbles into a beneficial separation effect, improving image quality without complex bubble removal systems
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
Prevents ink ejection errors by effectively discharging bubbles and maintaining ink viscosity, thereby ensuring high-quality image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid flow inlet configured to allow the liquid to flow into the containing region, and a liquid flow outlet configured to allow the liquid to flow out from the containing region
Implementation Method 2
The lid portion has a plurality of openings, which include a liquid flow inlet configured to allow the liquid to flow into the containing region
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A liquid container (100) includes a main body portion (1) having a bottom part (11) and a side wall part (12), so as to store liquid in a containing region (10) enclosed by the bottom part (11) and the side wall part (12), and a lid portion (2) that covers the containing region (10) from above. The lid portion (2) has a plurality of openings, which include a liquid flow inlet (3) configured to allow the liquid to flow into the containing region (10), and a liquid flow outlet (4) configured to allow the liquid to flow out from the containing region (10) to a feed destination (70). When viewed in the up and down direction, the plurality of openings are disposed on an imaginary circle (VC) whose center is a center (CP) of the containing region (10), with equal intervals.