Ink Refill Container Port Layout for Smooth Air-Liquid Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid replenishment containers experience stagnation of air flow, leading to inefficient ink transfer due to narrow air discharge flow paths, hindering smooth air-liquid exchange between the container and the ink tank.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring asymmetrical communication ports and a movable valve that allows for axial movement between closed and open positions, ensuring balanced air-liquid exchange by maintaining distinct distances between communication ports and the axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the liquid replenishment nozzle is made thin to reduce size, then the device becomes more compact, but the air discharge flow path becomes narrow causing air flow stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the communication port region asymmetric with respect to the axial direction. Specifically, the first communication port is positioned at a first distance from the axis while the second communication port is positioned at a second distance from the axis, where the distances are different. This asymmetric arrangement creates an asymmetric air discharge flow path that prevents flow stagnation while maintaining a compact nozzle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dimensional variation by positioning communication ports at different radial distances from the axis in the radial direction. This three-dimensional arrangement of communication ports at different distances from the axis creates a more complex flow path geometry that prevents stagnation without increasing the overall nozzle thickness.
2Device complexity
If the air discharge flow path is made narrow to maintain compact structure, then the device size is reduced, but air flow stagnation occurs reducing ink injection smoothness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the communication port region asymmetric by positioning the first and second communication ports at different distances from the axis. This asymmetric configuration creates an asymmetric air discharge flow path that naturally prevents flow stagnation and ensures smooth ink injection while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different flow path characteristics at different locations. The asymmetric positioning of communication ports creates regions with different flow velocities and pressure distributions, ensuring that air flow remains dynamic and stagnant-free in the critical air discharge regions while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes: a body including a port portion defining an opening of a storage chamber configured to store a recording liquid; and a valve located inside the body. The port portion includes a communication port that communicates the storage chamber with outside, the valve is movable in an axial direction in which an axis of the port portion extends, between a close position where the communication port is closed and an open position where the communication port is opened, and a region serving as the communication port in a virtual section orthogonal to the axis is asymmetrical with respect to the axis.