Ink Tank Circulation Layout for High-Capacity Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently degassing ink due to the difficulty in replacing ink near the liquid surface with ink near the bottom surface, leading to reduced degassing efficiency and potential ejection failures from increased dissolved gas, especially when the ink capacity is large.
Innovation Solution
A degassing device with a circulation flow pass that includes an outlet port and an inlet port of different diameters, allowing ink circulation under pressure reduction, effectively replacing ink near the liquid surface with ink containing more dissolved air from the bottom, thereby improving degassing efficiency without affecting the rotational speed or sound levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the stirrer is located at the bottom of the ink tank, then the structure is simple, but when the ink capacity increases, it becomes difficult to replace the ink near the liquid surface with the ink near the bottom surface, and the degassing efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation flow pass is divided into multiple sections with different diameters: a first flow pass with a larger diameter from the outlet port to the circulation device, and a second flow pass with a smaller diameter from the circulation device to the inlet port. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple structure while achieving effective ink circulation and replacement throughout the tank.
2Quantity of substance
If the ink capacity increases, then the storage capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to replace the ink near the liquid surface with the ink near the bottom surface, and the degassing efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by creating a circulation system where ink flows from the bottom outlet port through the circulation device and returns to the upper inlet port. The pressure differential and flow dynamics enable effective replacement of surface ink with bottom ink, maintaining high degassing efficiency even in large-capacity tanks.
3Productivity
If a circulation device is introduced, then the ink circulation and degassing efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation device performs multiple functions: it draws ink from the bottom outlet port, circulates it through the flow passes, and returns it to the upper inlet port. This multi-functional design achieves effective ink replacement and degassing without requiring multiple separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
The solution enhances degassing efficiency by ensuring wider exposure of ink with high dissolved air to the surface, reducing the risk of ejection failures and maintaining ink quality, while minimizing noise and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure decreasing device (62) that decreases pressure in the inside of the ink tank (32)
Implementation Method 2
a circulation device (67) that circulates the ink through the circulation flow pass (47)
Data Source
AI summary
A degassing device removes air dissolved in liquid under a pressure decreased atmosphere. The degassing device includes a liquid tank, a pressure decreasing device, a circulation flow pass, and a circulation device. The liquid tank stores the liquid. The pressure decreasing device decreases pressure in the liquid tank. The circulation flow pass communicates different positions of the liquid tank. The circulation device circulates the liquid through the circulation flow pass. The circulation flow pass includes an outlet port from the liquid tank to the circulation flow pass, and an inlet port from the circulation flow pass to the liquid tank below a liquid surface. A diameter of the inlet port is smaller than a diameter of the outlet port.