Ink Tank Partition Wall and Buffer Design for Sloshing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet equipment experiences contamination and equipment failure due to sloshing and backflow of liquid chemicals during acceleration, which reduces durability and causes scattering.
Innovation Solution
An ink tank design with a partition wall and buffer portion to prevent sloshing and backflow, featuring scattering prevention holes and a guide filter to separate liquid and gas components, and a backflow prevention groove to manage liquid chemical flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ink tank moves integrally with the head during acceleration, then the inkjet equipment can operate continuously, but the liquid chemical sloshes and flows along the inner wall surface causing contamination and equipment failure
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls. Each compartment is separated to prevent liquid chemical from sloshing across the entire tank. The partition walls create individual chambers that limit the movement and sloshing of liquid chemical during acceleration, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A buffer portion is introduced as an intermediary space between the liquid chemical receiving portion and the pressure control port. This buffer portion includes a guide filter that separates liquid and gas components, preventing liquid chemical from directly contacting the pressure control port and causing backflow, thus improving equipment reliability during continuous operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the depressurization line generates negative pressure to maintain meniscus shape, then the ink flow is controlled, but the ink flows backward and is introduced into the system causing equipment failure
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer portion is introduced as an intermediary space between the liquid chemical receiving portion and the pressure control port. This buffer portion includes a guide filter that separates liquid and gas components, preventing liquid chemical from directly contacting the pressure control port and causing backflow, thus improving equipment reliability during continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane is positioned to prevent liquid chemical from passing into certain areas while allowing pressure control. The membrane acts as a flexible barrier that maintains the meniscus shape through pressure control while preventing backward flow of liquid chemical into the pressure control system.
3Ease of operation
If scattering prevention holes are formed in the partition wall to allow liquid chemical passage, then liquid chemical can be supplied to the inkjet head, but the liquid chemical may still scatter during severe sloshing
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls. Each compartment is separated to prevent liquid chemical from sloshing across the entire tank. The partition walls create individual chambers that limit the movement and sloshing of liquid chemical during acceleration, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane is positioned to prevent liquid chemical from passing into certain areas while allowing pressure control. The membrane acts as a flexible barrier that maintains the meniscus shape through pressure control while preventing backward flow of liquid chemical into the pressure control system.
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
Prevents contamination and improves durability by suppressing liquid chemical sloshing and preventing backflow, ensuring reliable operation of inkjet equipment.
Implementation Method 1
A guide filter is provided in the buffer portion to separate and pass liquid and gas components. The guide filter is configured to pass gas such as N2 without passing a liquid chemical.
Implementation Method 2
The liquid chemical is allowed to pass to the adjacent partition through the scattering prevention holes to prevent the liquid chemical from spurting high when the sloshing of the liquid chemical is severe.
Implementation Method 3
A buffer portion is formed between the pressure control port and one side surface of the liquid chemical receiving portion to prevent the backflow of the liquid chemical.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink tank for a liquid chemical discharging apparatus configured to prevent equipment failure and improve durability by preventing scattering and backflow of a liquid chemical is described. The ink tank for a liquid chemical discharging apparatus includes: a liquid chemical receiving portion in which a liquid chemical is stored; a liquid chemical discharge port configured to supply the liquid chemical to an inkjet head; a pressure control port configured to control pressure of the liquid chemical receiving portion; and a partition wall provided in the liquid chemical receiving portion and configured to partition the liquid chemical receiving portion.