Ink Introducing Needle Grooves Suppress Air Bubble Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid-jet apparatuses face issues with air turning into bubbles entering the liquid introducing columnar body during ink cartridge replacement, leading to pressure loss and insufficient ink supply due to bubble blockages, requiring frequent cleaning operations that result in wasteful ink consumption.

Innovation Solution

The liquid-jet apparatus incorporates a liquid introducing columnar body with groove portions on its tip surface, allowing air to escape outside through these grooves during ink cartridge mounting, preventing bubble entry and reducing the need for frequent cleaning operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ink introducing needles are pushed into needle insertion slots during ink cartridge replacement, then ink can be introduced into the recording head, but air is compressed between the sealing film and the ink introducing needles and enters the ink passages as bubbles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink cartridge replacementVSAvoidbubble-free ink passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful element (air bubbles) from the system by providing a dedicated air discharge path through groove portions on the ink introducing needle. This allows air to be separated and discharged outside the ink passage, preventing bubble contamination while maintaining the ink introduction function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove portions act as an intermediary channel that mediates between the air trapped during cartridge insertion and the ink passage. Instead of allowing air to directly contaminate the ink passage, the grooves provide an alternative pathway that directs air away, serving as a buffer zone between the harmful air and the sensitive ink system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bubbles enter the ink passages, then pressure loss occurs and ink supply becomes insufficient, but frequent cleaning operations are required to discharge bubbles which results in wasteful ink consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink supply stabilityVSAvoidink consumption during cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by preventing bubble formation at the source during ink cartridge installation. The groove portions are designed to discharge air before it can enter the ink passage, eliminating the need for subsequent cleaning operations and the associated ink waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of compressed air during cartridge insertion into a beneficial outcome by designing the groove portions to channel this air away from the ink passage. The air that would otherwise cause problems is redirected to serve as a natural purging mechanism, eliminating bubbles before they can contaminate the ink system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If the sealing film is broken by ink introducing needle tips during cartridge loading, then ink introduction is enabled, but the film flexes and adheres to the needle tips causing air compression and bubble formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge loadingVSAvoidair compression and bubble formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the air compression problem from the cartridge loading process by providing groove portions that allow air to escape during needle insertion. This prevents air from being trapped and compressed between the sealing film and needle tips, eliminating bubble formation while maintaining easy cartridge loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design effectively reduces the frequency of cleaning operations and associated ink consumption by preventing bubble entry into the liquid introducing columnar body, minimizing pressure loss and ensuring consistent ink supply.

Implementation Method 1

groove portions are provided in a tip surface of the liquid introducing columnar body... allowing air to escape outside through these grooves during ink cartridge mounting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir escape through grooves:

Data Source

PatentUS7871157B2Liquid-jet apparatus liquid introducing needle with air intake suppression

Publication Date: 2011.01.18 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a liquid-jet apparatus which can suppress liquid consumption by preventing air that can turn into bubbles from entering a liquid introducing columnar body in replacement of a liquid storage member and thus reducing a frequency of execution of a cleaning operation for discharging the bubbles inside a liquid passage. An ink introducing needle in a printer includes: a needle-like protrusion having a tapered portion whose diameter is gradually increased toward its base from its tip; and a straight portion formed linearly and continuously from the tapered portion. In the tapered portion of the needle-like protrusion in the ink introducing needle, groove portions extending to an edge portion of the tapered portion are provided.