Ink Sub-tank Design for Extended Print Duration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection devices face challenges in efficiently using space and providing visual feedback when ink supply from a cartridge is depleted, leading to interrupted image recording operations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device design featuring a cartridge with a first storage chamber and a supply portion connected to a joint in the cartridge receiving portion, allowing liquid to be supplied via water head difference, and a second storage chamber with an outlet port and air communication ports, enabling continued ejection of liquid even after the primary supply is depleted, while allowing users to visually recognize the remaining ink level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the volume of the sub-tank is enlarged to prolong the recording operation time, then the duration of action is improved, but the space occupied by the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second storage chamber extends in the front-rear direction (horizontal dimension) rather than only in the vertical direction. This allows the sub-tank to utilize horizontal space below the cartridge, enabling increased storage capacity without increasing the vertical height of the device, thus resolving the contradiction between prolonged operation time and device space occupation
2Volume of stationary object
If the cartridge is designed to be compact for space efficiency, then the volume of stationary object is reduced, but the capacity of the sub-tank is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The second storage chamber utilizes the horizontal space (front-rear direction) below the cartridge by extending protrudingly in this dimension. This allows the sub-tank capacity to be increased without increasing the vertical height or width of the overall device, maintaining compactness while extending recording operation time
3Reliability
If the cartridge is positioned high for water head difference supply, then the liquid supply is improved, but the space for layout is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The second storage chamber extends in the front-rear direction (horizontal dimension) rather than requiring additional vertical space. This allows the joint to be connected to the upper region for maintaining water head difference supply reliability, while the extended lower region utilizes horizontal space below the cartridge, resolving the contradiction between reliable liquid supply and layout space efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The liquid ejection device includes a cartridge, a cartridge receiving portion and a head. The cartridge includes a first storage chamber, a first air communication port, and a supply portion. The cartridge receiving portion includes a joint, a second storage chamber, a second air communication port, and an outlet port. Liquid is supplied from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber through the supply portion connected to the joint by water head difference. The second storage chamber includes: an upper region connected to the joint; and a lower region positioned below the upper region. The lower region has a portion positioned below a lowermost surface of the cartridge and extending along the lowermost surface when the supply portion is connected to the joint. The portion of the lower region extends away from the upper region to protrude further relative to the upper region in a protruding direction.