Ink Container Outlet Structure 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 their discharge and reducing ink viscosity through controlled flow paths and stirring mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink is stored in a liquid container and fed to a recording head, then image formation is enabled, but bubbles accumulate in the ink flow path causing ejection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts bubbles from the ink flow path by providing a dedicated bubble discharge path that separates bubble removal from the main ink flow. The bubble discharge port allows bubbles to be removed from the liquid container without interrupting the ink supply to the recording head, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of bubbles on image formation quality.
2Reliability
If ink flows through a long path from storage to recording head, then sufficient ink supply is achieved, but ink viscosity increases leading to ejection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a stirring mechanism that actively mixes the ink before it enters the flow path to the recording head. This preliminary stirring prevents viscosity increase that would occur during prolonged storage or flow, ensuring consistent ink properties are maintained throughout the ink supply process.
3Device complexity
If a simple liquid container structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but bubble removal and ink quality control become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid container structure into distinct functional regions: an ink storage region, a bubble discharge path, and a stirring mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently - the bubble discharge port removes bubbles without complicating the overall structure, while the stirring mechanism maintains ink quality, achieving reliable ink quality control with a relatively simple integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a main body portion having a bottom part and a side wall part, so as to store liquid in a containing region enclosed by the bottom part and the side wall part, a lid portion, a liquid flow inlet that allows the liquid to flow into the containing region, and a liquid flow outlet that allows the liquid to flow out from the containing region to a feed destination. The liquid flow outlet is disposed in the lid portion. The liquid flow outlet has an inner cylinder part that protrudes downward from the lid portion in a cylindrical manner, so as to be disposed in the containing region, and allows the liquid flowing in through a lower end opening of the inner cylinder part to flow out to the feed destination. A gap space is formed between the inner cylinder part and the side wall part.