Ink Container Inner Cylinder Layout for Bubble-Free Head Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording devices face issues with ink quality deterioration due to the presence of bubbles and increased viscosity in the ink flow path, leading to potential ejection errors in the recording head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design with a mini tank that includes a main body portion, lid portion, and strategically positioned ink flow inlets, outlets, and bubble exhaust ports, which prevents bubbles from reaching the recording head by promoting ink stirring and efficient bubble discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink is stored in a conventional liquid container without a gap space, then the container structure is simple, but bubbles and high viscosity ink reach the recording head causing ejection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is segmented into distinct functional zones: a storage region for bulk ink and a discharge region with an inner cylinder structure for controlled ink flow. This segmentation separates the functions of storage and discharge, allowing bubbles to be excluded from the discharge path while maintaining structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap space between the inner cylinder and the container wall acts as an intermediary zone that mediates between bulk ink storage and controlled ink discharge. This gap allows high viscosity ink to flow smoothly while preventing bubbles from entering the discharge path, serving as a buffer zone that improves ejection reliability.
2Reliability
If ink flows directly from storage to recording head, then the flow path is short, but ink viscosity increases and quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is extended into a third dimension by creating a vertical gap space between the inner cylinder and container wall. This vertical dimension allows ink to flow downward through the gap, increasing the effective flow path length without expanding the horizontal footprint, thereby maintaining ink quality through extended circulation.
3Reliability
If bubbles are allowed to remain in ink flow path, then the system is simple, but ejection errors occur due to bubble interference
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful bubbles are extracted from the ink discharge path by designing the inner cylinder structure that allows bubbles to rise and accumulate in the gap space between the cylinder and container wall, separating them from the ink flow that reaches the recording head.
Solution Approach 2:
The presence of bubbles, which would normally cause ejection errors, is converted into a beneficial mechanism where bubbles rise and accumulate in the gap space, creating a natural bubble trap that protects the discharge path. The harmful bubbles become a indicator of proper system operation and a protective feature.
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 maintaining ink quality, reducing viscosity, and ensuring consistent image formation by effectively separating bubbles and high viscosity ink from the feed destination.
Implementation Method 1
A gap space is formed between the inner cylinder part and the side wall part
Implementation Method 2
prevents bubbles from reaching the recording head by promoting ink stirring and efficient bubble discharge
Data Source
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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), a lid portion (2), a liquid flow inlet (3) that allows the liquid to flow into the containing region (10), and a liquid flow outlet (4) that allows the liquid to flow out from the containing region (10) to a feed destination (70). The liquid flow outlet (4) is disposed in the lid portion (2). The liquid flow outlet (4) has an inner cylinder part (42) that protrudes downward from the lid portion (2) in a cylindrical manner, so as to be disposed in the containing region (10), and allows the liquid flowing in through a lower end opening of the inner cylinder part (42) to flow out to the feed destination (70). A gap space (G) is formed between the inner cylinder part (42) and the side wall part (12).