Ink Tank Protruding Portion Prevents Damper Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink tank leakage inspection methods can result in erroneous inspections due to blockage of communication holes by the flexible damper portion, leading to incorrect determination of connection states between the damper and ink storage portions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a protruding portion with a notch on the sub tank lid that does not surround the communication hole, preventing the damper portion from blocking it during deformation, ensuring proper communication between the ink storage and damper portions during inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flexible damper portion is deformed by suction during leakage inspection, then the damper portion may block the communication hole, but this blockage causes erroneous inspection results where proper connection is incorrectly determined
Solution Approach 1:
A protruding portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the damper portion and the communication hole. This protruding portion acts as a physical barrier that prevents the damper portion from blocking the communication hole during suction operations, while still allowing the damper to function properly for pressure equalization. The protruding portion serves as a mediator that resolves the conflict between damper deformation and communication hole accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication hole is segmented into two functional zones: an upper portion that may be blocked by the damper during normal operation, and a lower portion that remains accessible through the protruding portion. This segmentation ensures that at least one pathway remains open for pressure equalization during inspection, preventing erroneous results while maintaining the damper's pressure equalization function.
2Measurement precision
If the damper portion blocks the communication hole during suction, then pressure equalization is prevented, but this also prevents accurate leakage detection
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion serves as a mediator that maintains a clear passage for pressure equalization through the communication hole. During suction operations, the damper portion can deform without blocking the lower portion of the communication hole, allowing accurate pressure measurements to be taken. This intermediary structure ensures that pressure equalization continues to function while enabling precise leakage detection.
3Reliability
If a protruding portion is added to prevent damper blockage, then inspection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire damper portion or adding a complex valve mechanism, the solution applies local quality by adding a simple protruding portion at a specific location on the damper. This localized modification is sufficient to prevent blockage of the communication hole while maintaining the overall simplicity of the damper structure and minimizing increases 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
Prevents erroneous inspections by maintaining communication through the communication hole, allowing accurate assessment of the connection state between the damper and ink storage portions, thereby enhancing the reliability of leakage inspection results.
Implementation Method 1
the supply of the ink to the ejection ports may become unstable. According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-307712 discusses an ink-jet recording head that can suppress a rapid pressure change in an ink storage portion by attaching a flexible damper portion to the ink storage portion
Implementation Method 2
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-307712 discusses a technique that suppresses a rapid pressure fluctuation in the ink storage portion by communicating an inside of the damper portion and an inside of the ink storage portion through a communication hole formed on a wall surface of the ink storage portion
Data Source
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AI summary
An ink tank includes an ink storage portion configured to store ink, and a flexible damper portion configured to communicate with an inside of the ink storage portion through a communication hole. A protruding portion protruding from an ink storage portion side toward an inside of the damper portion is formed in the inside of the damper portion. When viewed from a direction in which the protruding portion protrudes, the damper portion surrounds an entire circumference of the communication hole, and an opening portion is formed in the protruding portion.