Inkjet Buffer Tank Self-Mixing via Wall Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems face issues with printing quality due to air bubbles and high dissolved oxygen levels in ink, leading to stripe formation and degradation, especially when transitioning between deaerated and non-deaerated ink, which is not effectively addressed by existing stir mechanisms that require external equipment and result in device enlargement and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge device design that includes a buffer tank with a supply channel connected to its side surface, a supplement channel penetrating the tank, and a deaeration module, where the supplement channel's exit is within the tank, allowing ink to collide with the inner wall and enhance diffusion, thereby uniformizing dissolved oxygen levels without external stir means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external stir means are installed in the sub-tank to stir ink, then the diffusion effect is improved, but the device size increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ink supply system self-stirring by utilizing the natural flow dynamics of ink replenishment. The supplement channel is positioned to create a meandering flow path that automatically mixes ink without external stir means, allowing the system to serve its own mixing needs through its structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a meandering (curved) flow path design in the ink supply channel instead of a straight path. This curvature creates natural eddies and circulation patterns that enhance diffusion and mixing of ink with different dissolved oxygen levels without requiring additional mechanical components
2Productivity
If ink is refilled from the main tank to the buffer tank during printing, then the ink supply is maintained, but the dissolved oxygen amount increases leading to degradation of printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-arranges the supplement channel to introduce fresh ink at a specific location and angle that creates immediate mixing with the existing ink in the buffer tank. This preliminary positioning ensures that high dissolved oxygen ink is diluted and distributed throughout the tank before being supplied to the ejection head
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the meandering flow path as an intermediary mechanism between the supplement channel and the ejection head. This flow path acts as a mixing zone where fresh ink from the main tank is gradually blended with circulating ink, reducing the dissolved oxygen concentration before the ink reaches the ejection head
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
This design improves ink diffusion and uniformity within the buffer tank, preventing high dissolved oxygen ink from being ejected, thus enhancing printing quality and reducing costs by eliminating the need for external stir equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid supplied from the supplement channel has speed when the liquid collides with an inner wall surface of the buffer tank facing the exit of the supplement channel
Implementation Method 2
the liquid supplied from the supplement channel has speed when the liquid collides with an inner wall surface of the buffer tank
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge device includes: a head in which an ejection port to eject liquid as a droplet is formed; a buffer tank which is connected with the head through a supply channel and a collection channel and in which the liquid is housed; a deaeration module which is provided on the side of the supply channel; and a main tank in which the liquid supplied to the buffer tank through the supplement channel is stored, where: the supply channel is connected with a side surface of the buffer tank; the supplement channel penetrates the side surface of the buffer tank and has an exit of the supplement channel in the buffer tank; and the liquid supplied from the supplement channel has speed when the liquid collides with an inner wall surface of the buffer tank facing the exit of the supplement channel.