Ink Container Groove Flow Path Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink containers face challenges in manufacturing a long and thin ink inlet flow path with gas-liquid exchange capability, leading to unstable ink supply due to difficulties in creating a narrow pathway and balancing air and ink pressures, which can result in ink leakage and uneven refill.
Innovation Solution
The ink container features a groove-based ink inlet flow path formed by sealing with a film, allowing for regulation of thickness and including multiple flow paths with varying sectional areas to separate ink and air flow, ensuring stable ink supply and easy manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hollow needle-type ink injection needle is used to form a narrow ink pathway, then the gas liquid exchange capability is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ink inlet flow path is divided into multiple separate flow paths (first ink flow path and second ink flow path) instead of using a single hollow needle. This segmentation allows each flow path to be formed using simple groove structures that are easy to manufacture, while collectively providing the gas liquid exchange capability that would require a complex hollow needle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the groove-based flow path system) that mediates between the ink supply and ink chamber. This intermediary system performs the gas liquid exchange function through multiple grooves sealed with film, avoiding the need to directly manufacture a complex hollow needle while achieving the same functional result.
2Device complexity
If a single ink flow path is used for both ink supply and air discharge, then the structure is simplified, but the ink supply stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single flow path is segmented into multiple flow paths with different functions. The first ink flow path is dedicated to ink supply while the second ink flow path handles air discharge. This functional segmentation ensures stable ink supply by preventing air from interfering with the ink flow, while the overall structure remains relatively simple through the use of groove-based construction.
3Reliability
If the ink pathway is made long and thin for better gas liquid exchange, then the exchange capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible film to seal the grooves and form the flow paths. This approach allows the creation of long and thin flow paths with controlled dimensions without requiring high manufacturing precision for the groove itself. The film sealing method provides tolerance compensation and ensures consistent flow path thickness even when groove dimensions vary within reasonable manufacturing tolerances.
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 enables the production of a long and thin ink inlet flow path with enhanced gas-liquid exchange, stabilizing ink supply, reducing the risk of leakage, and facilitating efficient refill by balancing air and ink pressures, thus preventing ink container staining and improving refill accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the ink inlet flow path portion is formed by sealing a groove that is defined by a flow path wall with a film attached to the flow path wall
Data Source
AI summary
An ink container comprises an ink chamber configured to contain ink that is supplied to an ink ejection head; and an ink inlet flow path portion arranged to connect a first end portion that is open to outside of the ink chamber with a second end portion that is open to inside of the ink chamber and configured to inject the ink into the ink chamber. At least part of the ink inlet flow path portion is formed by sealing a groove that is defined by flow path walls with a first film and a second film attached to the flow path walls.