Ink Jet Printer Gravity Circulation Prevents Air Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face issues with ink circulation paths being disrupted during transportation, leading to air being trapped and ink leakage due to meniscus destruction, which affects printing performance.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a configuration where a first tank is positioned above the image recording unit and a second tank below it, with a pump and one-way valve to maintain ink circulation, preventing air from entering the ink path and ensuring continuous ink flow by controlling the refill valve based on ink levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ink circulation path is provided with tanks positioned above and below the image recording unit, then ink circulation is improved and printing performance is maintained, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first tank above and the second tank below the image recording unit, utilizing gravitational force to create a natural circulation path. The first tank supplies ink to the image recording unit through gravity, while the second tank collects unused ink, establishing a balanced ink circulation system without requiring complex pumping mechanisms for the entire circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink circulation system is divided into separate functional components: a first tank for ink supply, an image recording unit for ink discharge, and a second tank for ink collection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the pump only needing to transfer ink between the second tank and the image recording unit, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If electromagnetic valves are added to prevent air trapping in the ink path, then printing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for electromagnetic valves by extracting the air-trapping problem from the system design. By positioning the first tank above the image recording unit and utilizing gravity-driven ink flow, the system prevents air from being trapped in the ink path during circulation, eliminating the requirement for expensive electromagnetic valve components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive electromagnetic valves with a simpler, more cost-effective gravitational circulation system. The design uses basic mechanical positioning and gravity rather than costly electronic control components, making the printer more economically viable while maintaining reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the first tank is positioned above the image recording unit to supply ink by gravity, then energy consumption is reduced, but ink leakage may occur during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first tank above the image recording unit to utilize gravitational force for ink supply, reducing the energy required for ink circulation. This gravitational potential energy approach eliminates the need for additional pumps or motors to drive ink flow, significantly lowering energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different positioning strategies to different components: the first tank is positioned above the image recording unit for gravity-driven supply, while the second tank is positioned below to collect unused ink. This localized quality approach ensures that each component's position serves its specific function, preventing ink leakage while maintaining energy efficiency.
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 prevents ink leakage and ensures the ink jet printer can recover from transportation shocks, maintaining printing capability without the need for complex electromagnetic valves, thus reducing costs and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pump to send the ink from the second tank to the first tank through a third ink path
Implementation Method 2
a first tank disposed above the image recording unit in a gravitational force direction to supply the ink to the image recording unit
Implementation Method 3
a second tank disposed below the image recording unit in the gravitational force direction to collect the ink
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet printer has an ink circulation unit including an image recording unit to discharge ink to perform image recording on a recording medium; a first tank disposed above the image recording unit in a gravitational force direction to supply the ink to the image recording unit through a first ink path; a second tank disposed below the image recording unit in the gravitational force direction to collect the ink that was not discharged from the image recording unit through the second ink path; a pump to send the ink from the second tank to the first tank through a third ink path, and at least a part of the first ink path connecting the first tank and the image recording unit is positioned below an ink liquid level in the second tank in the gravitational force direction.