Ink Tank Segmentation for Waste Ink Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing devices face issues with clogging due to increased viscosity and foreign particles in nozzles, leading to ejection failures, and existing waste ink tanks with sufficient capacity are difficult to integrate in space-saving designs, as mixed waste ink can cause nozzle clogging when reused.
Innovation Solution
A liquid accommodating container with an ink tank and a non-print ink recirculating system that separates and manages non-print ink, using a porous absorbing element and a recirculating mechanism to prevent mixing with usable ink, allowing for efficient cleaning and maintenance without overflowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the waste ink tank capacity is increased to prevent leakage, then the waste ink can be properly stored, but the device size increases and space-saving design becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank is divided into two separate functional regions: a first region for storing unused printing ink and a second region for storing waste ink. This segmentation allows the waste ink tank capacity to be sufficient without increasing the overall device volume, as the waste ink is contained within the existing ink tank space rather than requiring a separate external tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste ink storage function is merged with the unused ink storage function within the same ink tank body. By combining these two functions in a single container with separate regions, the design achieves sufficient waste ink capacity while maintaining a compact overall device size.
2Quantity of substance
If the waste ink is collected in the ink tank, then the waste ink can be stored, but the waste ink mixes with unused ink causing nozzle clogging when the mixed ink is supplied to the print head
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank is segmented into a first region for unused ink and a second region for waste ink, with a partition wall separating them. This physical separation prevents mixing between the two ink types, ensuring that only clean unused ink is supplied to the print head while waste ink is isolated for proper disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the unused ink region and waste ink region. This partition prevents direct contact and mixing between the two ink streams while allowing the tank to maintain its compact structure.
3Reliability
If the ink tank is designed with separate regions for unused ink and waste ink, then ink quality is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank is divided into two regions using a simple partition wall structure. This segmentation maintains ink quality by preventing mixing, while the partition wall design keeps the overall structure relatively simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink tank structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores both unused ink and waste ink, maintains separation between the two ink types, and provides a compact design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional 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 system effectively prevents nozzle clogging by isolating non-print ink, maintaining ink quality, and ensuring a sufficient waste ink capacity within a compact design, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of inkjet printing devices.
Implementation Method 1
an ink tank (30) having a non-print ink recirculating system
Implementation Method 2
an ink tank (30) having a non-print ink recirculating system with a porous absorbing element
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
There are provided a liquid accommodating container (30) that has a sufficient volume for reserving waste ink and can accommodate therein a sufficient amount of ink used in printing with space-saving, a liquid ejecting device provided therewith and a liquid introducing method. Therefore non-print ink is discharged and reserved in a portion, in which unused ink for printing was reserved, in an ink tank for replacement of the unused ink.