Ink Jet Printer Compactness via Flow Path Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ink jet printing apparatuses lack compactness due to inefficient configuration and arrangement of ink flow paths and function parts, which hinders downsizing efforts.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an ink flow path plate, a flow path concentration plate, and function parts arranged within a demarcated space, with the flow path concentration plate guiding ink between the ink flow path plate and the print head, and function parts acting on the supply and recovery flow paths, optimizing the use of space to enhance compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ink supply unit is configured with conventional flow path arrangement, then the ink circulation function is achieved, but the apparatus size increases and compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path concentration plate is arranged at an inclination (specifically vertically) with respect to the ink flow path plate, changing the spatial dimension of flow path arrangement from horizontal to vertical. This dimensional change allows function parts to be positioned within the space between the two plates, achieving compact configuration without increasing overall volume
Solution Approach 2:
The function parts are nested within the space demarcated by the ink flow path plate and the flow path concentration plate. By placing pumps, valves, and other function parts inside this enclosed space, the overall apparatus volume is reduced while maintaining all necessary circulation functions
2Area of stationary object
If the flow path and function parts are arranged to improve compactness, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: the ink flow path plate for supply flow, the flow path concentration plate for recovery flow, and the space between them for housing function parts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The supply flow path and recovery flow path are merged into a single integrated structure formed by the ink flow path plate and flow path concentration plate. This merging eliminates the need for separate external piping and reduces the overall footprint of the ink supply unit
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus whose compactness is improved. The ink jet printing apparatus includes: a print head; an ink tank for each ink color; an ink flow path plate for each ink color having a supply flow path that guides the ink supplied from the ink tank to the print head and a recovery flow path that guides the ink recovered from the print head to the ink tank; a flow path concentration plate in which the supply flow path and the recovery flow path for each ink color are concentrated and which guides the ink between the ink flow path plate and the print head; and one or a plurality of function parts provided within a range of a space demarcated by the ink flow path plate and the flow path concentration plate.