Ink Supply Apparatus Buoyancy Valve Low Ink Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink supply apparatuses face issues such as increased costs and complexity due to sensor placement in cartridges, detection failures due to positional deviations, and inadequate consideration for low ink detection in systems with refill ports, leading to challenges in size reduction, cost reduction, resource efficiency, and usability.
Innovation Solution
An ink supply apparatus with an open ink storage section featuring a buoyancy generating section and a valve system that blocks the communication port based on buoyancy, allowing for low ink detection via internal pressure changes, and utilizing multiple buoyant bodies aligned along the Z-axis to reduce posture changes and operation failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is mounted into the ink cartridge to detect low ink remaining amount state, then detection capability is improved, but cost and electrical configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the ink cartridge and relocates it to the printer side. The ink cartridge is simplified to only contain the ink storage section and a communication port, while the printer incorporates the detection mechanism through pressure sensing in the ink supply system, eliminating sensors and electrical components from the cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure as an intermediary physical quantity to indicate ink level. Instead of directly sensing ink level in the cartridge, the system uses pressure variations in the ink supply path (caused by ink level changes) as a mediator to transmit information about ink status from the cartridge to the printer's detection system.
2Measurement precision
If an optical sensor and arm mechanism are used to detect low ink level, then detection capability is improved, but positional precision requirements and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical sensor and arm system with a pressure-based detection mechanism. Instead of using optical components and mechanical arms that require precise positioning, the system uses pressure sensing in the ink supply path, which naturally responds to ink level changes without requiring precise mechanical alignment or positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the ink storage section is opened to the atmosphere for easy refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but detection of low ink remaining amount state becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressure as an intermediary that works effectively in open-to-atmosphere systems. The communication port allows atmospheric pressure to act on the ink surface, and pressure variations in the ink supply path still accurately reflect ink level changes, enabling detection without requiring a sealed storage section.
Solution Approach 2:
The open communication port serves dual functions: it allows easy refilling by users while simultaneously enabling the pressure-based detection system to function. The same opening that facilitates user operation also provides the pressure pathway necessary for automatic low-ink detection.
4Reliability
If multiple buoyant bodies are aligned along the Z-axis direction, then reliability is improved by reducing posture changes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the buoyancy function into multiple discrete buoyant bodies aligned along the Z-axis. Each buoyant body independently contributes to the overall buoyancy force, and their segmented arrangement reduces posture changes and improves reliability by distributing the functional load across multiple components rather than relying on a single complex buoyancy mechanism.
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 improves detection precision for low ink levels, reduces complexity, and enhances reliability and usability by preventing detection failures and mixing of foreign materials, while allowing for efficient ink supply and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyancy generating section which is provided in an inner section of the ink storage section and generates buoyancy with regard to the ink in the ink storage section
Implementation Method 2
detection of the low ink remaining amount state based on the displacement of the displacement section according to the internal pressure in the ink flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
An ink supply apparatus includes an ink filling port, an ink storage section, an ink flow path, a displacement section, an ink supply port, and a sealing structure. The ink storage section is communicated with the ink filling port to store the ink. The ink flow path is communicated with the ink storage section. The displacement section defines a portion of the ink flow path, and configured and arranged to be displaced according to internal pressure in the ink flow path so as to be detected by the printer. The ink supply port is communicated with the ink flow path to supply the ink from the ink flow path to the printer. The sealing structure seals an inner section of the ink flow path at least in a low ink remaining amount state where a remaining amount of the ink is a predetermined amount or less.