Ink Tank Pressure Detection Without Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink tanks require a power source to detect remaining ink and cannot accurately determine ink levels without continuous pressurization, leading to potential errors in detection.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container with a flexible member, a supply section, a displacement section, and a valve section that maintains pressure in the communication path, allowing for accurate detection of remaining ink without a power source, even after the container is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power source is used to detect remaining ink levels, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank uses the ink pressure itself to drive the diaphragm for detection purposes. The system is self-powered by the pressure differential that already exists during normal ink supply operation, eliminating the need for external power sources or additional actuators while maintaining reliable detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm serves dual functions: it acts as both the ink supply pressure transmission element and the detection mechanism. The same pressure differential that drives ink supply also drives diaphragm deformation for detection, combining two functions into a single component without requiring separate powered detection systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If continuous pressurization is maintained for ink supply, then ink supply stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses intermittent or demand-based pressurization rather than continuous pressurization. The compressed air source operates only when needed to maintain ink supply, allowing the system to achieve stable ink delivery without constant energy input by utilizing the stored pressure and natural pressure equalization cycles
3Measurement precision
If a complex detection mechanism with multiple components is used, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the detection path. By using the diaphragm's direct deformation in response to pressure changes, the system removes complex mechanisms such as multiple valves, sensors, or transmission elements that could fail, achieving both precision and reliability through simplification
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm, as a flexible thin film, directly responds to pressure changes through its inherent elasticity. This flexible membrane provides precise detection through its deformation state while maintaining high reliability because it has no moving parts, joints, or electronic components that could fail - it simply deforms elastically in response to pressure differential
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
Enables reliable detection of remaining ink levels without power, reducing errors and allowing for visual verification of ink presence or absence post-removal.
Implementation Method 1
When the printing apparatus is supplied with ink through the ink supply path, the pressure in the ink supply path deforms and swells the diaphragm.
Implementation Method 2
a flexible containing bag which contains ink and which is collapsed to pressurize the ink in the containing bag to supply the ink to the exterior though a supply port
Implementation Method 3
collapsed to pressurize the ink in the containing bag to supply the ink to the exterior
Implementation Method 4
The other end of the communication pipe is in communication with the atmosphere through a differential-pressure check valve. As the ink in the containing bag is supplied to the printing apparatus, the differential-pressure check valve is opened and closed so as to keep the difference in pressure between the inside of the containing bag and the outside air within a predetermined range.
Implementation Method 5
the position of the gel-like follower in the communication pipe is kept within a given range. When no ink remains in the containing bag, the differential-pressure check valve remains open, and the gel-like follower in the communication path moves out of the given range.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container and an apparatus in which the liquid container is mountable are provided, the liquid container and the apparatus enabling the presence or absence of remaining liquid to be checked without the need for a power source and even after the liquid container is removed. The pressure in a communication path is maintained while ink in a containing section is not supplied to the exterior. Thus, the displacement state of a detection valve which is displaced depending on the pressure in the communication path can be maintained even after removal of an ink tank.