Ink Storage Unit Stirring via Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers in industrial applications face challenges in maintaining the dispersibility of materials like nanorods and quantum dot materials within the ink storage unit, leading to issues with ink homogeneity and precision during printing, especially in narrow and tall storage units where traditional stirrers are difficult to install and may disrupt the airtight structure.
Innovation Solution
An ink storage unit that utilizes ink circulation to stir and maintain dispersibility without a physical stirrer, employing a circulation tube with a pump to re-inject ink, a head recovery tube for upward flow, and an ink replenishing tube for additional stirring, creating downward and spiral flows to ensure thorough mixing within the storage container, which is designed with a cylindrical side wall and inverted conical bottom to prevent stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a physical stirrer is installed in the ink storage unit, then the dispersibility of particles can be maintained, but the airtight structure is disrupted and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the physical stirrer from the ink storage unit, extracting the problematic component that disrupted the airtight structure. Instead, it uses the ink circulation system between the ink storage unit and inkjet head to achieve stirring without physical contact, thereby maintaining dispersibility while preserving structural integrity and airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the ink circulation path as an intermediary mechanism to transfer the stirring function. The ink flowing from the storage unit to the inkjet head and back serves as a mediator that accomplishes particle mixing without requiring a direct stirrer installation, thus avoiding structural complexity and airtightness issues.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a physical stirrer is installed in the ink storage unit, then the dispersibility of particles can be maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the physical stirrer from the ink storage unit, extracting the problematic component that disrupted the airtight structure. Instead, it uses the ink circulation system between the ink storage unit and inkjet head to achieve stirring without physical contact, thereby maintaining dispersibility while preserving structural integrity and airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink circulation system serves dual purposes: supplying ink to the inkjet head and simultaneously stirring the ink in the storage unit. The circulation pump and flow path are utilized for self-stirring functionality without requiring separate stirring mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining particle dispersibility.
3Volume of moving object
If ink is stored in a narrow and tall storage unit, then space efficiency is improved, but particle settling occurs due to insufficient stirring
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes continuous ink circulation between the narrow and tall storage unit and the inkjet head. This continuous flow action ensures that particles remain suspended and mixed throughout the storage period, preventing settling even in the space-efficient narrow and tall configuration, thereby maintaining ink homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink circulation path serves as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the space constraints of the narrow and tall storage unit with the stirring requirement. The flowing ink acts as a mediator that accomplishes mixing in the constrained geometry without requiring physical stirrers that would compromise the compact design.
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 solution effectively maintains the dispersibility of particles within the ink storage unit, even in narrow and tall configurations, without the need for a physical stirrer, ensuring consistent ink quality and preventing particle settling, while maintaining the airtight structure and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pump provided in the circulation tube to transfer the ink
Implementation Method 2
the ink stored in the ink storage container may be stirred by a flow of the ink re-injected to the ink storage container through the circulation tube
Data Source
AI summary
An ink storage unit capable of stirring ink by ink circulation is proposed. The ink storage unit, which is configured to store ink for supplying the ink to an inkjet head including a plurality of nozzles to discharge the ink, includes an ink storage container having an inside space configured to store the ink therein, a head supply tube configured to supply the ink stored in the ink storage container to the inkjet head, a head recovery tube configured to recover remaining ink remained in the inkjet head to the ink storage container, a circulation tube configured to drain the ink through a first end thereof connected to the ink storage container and to receive the ink through a second end thereof connected to the ink storage container, and a circulation pump provided in the circulation tube to transfer the ink.