Floating Undulation Reduction Portion for Inkjet Carriage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers experience ink undulation and air bubble formation within liquid containers due to inertial forces during carriage reciprocation, leading to ink jetting failures and image defects, as existing solutions like sponge or net members fail to adequately reduce undulation and often inhibit ink flow.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring an undulation reduction portion with a support structure that allows it to float and swing within the container, restricting movement along the gravity direction, thereby reducing ink undulation and air bubble formation by enhancing the flow of ink to the printer head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If members such as sponge or net are immersed in the ink to reduce undulation, then ink undulation is reduced, but ink flow is inhibited and ink may be left within the liquid container
Solution Approach 1:
The undulation reduction portion is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on ink level. It can swing together with the ink during carriage reciprocation to reduce undulation, while also allowing ink to flow freely underneath it when ink level is high, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing undulation and maintaining ink flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the state of the undulation reduction portion from stationary to movable, and its effective position changes with ink level. When ink level is high, the portion is submerged and allows flow; when ink level drops, it rises to the surface to reduce undulation, thus adapting to different operating conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the undulation reduction portion is fixed to restrict movement, then undulation is reduced, but ink flow is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The undulation reduction portion is supported to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to swing with the ink during carriage reciprocation. This dynamic behavior reduces undulation while maintaining ink flow paths, as the portion moves with the liquid rather than blocking it.
3Stability of the object's composition
If members are arranged within the liquid container to reduce undulation, then undulation is reduced, but ink may be left within the container
Solution Approach 1:
The movable undulation reduction portion swings with the ink during carriage reciprocation, preventing ink from adhering and remaining on its surface. The motion created by swinging facilitates ink drainage and prevents residue accumulation, thus reducing ink loss.
4Productivity
If the carriage reciprocates at high speed to improve productivity, then printing speed is improved, but ink undulation and air bubble formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The undulation reduction portion is positioned to preemptively counteract the inertial forces generated during high-speed carriage reciprocation. By being present in the ink storage portion before undulation occurs, it prevents air bubble formation even at high printing speeds, thus allowing high productivity without the harmful effects.
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 solution effectively minimizes ink undulation and air bubble production, ensuring stable ink supply to the printer head, reducing the likelihood of jetting failures and maintaining image quality, especially in high-speed printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
the undulation reduction portion is allowed to float in the liquid storage portion by buoyancy, which the undulation reduction portion receives from the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the ink may undulate within the liquid container by an inertial force produced when the carriage reciprocates
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid container is configured to be fitted to the carriage of a liquid consumption device that includes the carriage where a head is provided and that jets, while making the carriage reciprocate, a liquid from the head so as to consume the liquid and stores the liquid to be supplied to the head. The liquid container includes: a liquid storage portion configured to store the liquid inside; an undulation reduction portion provided in the liquid storage portion and including a wall surface configured to reduce the undulation of the liquid and be directed in the direction of gravity in a fitting posture where the liquid container is fitted to the carriage; and a support portion configured to support the undulation reduction portion such that, in the liquid storage portion, the undulation reduction portion is allowed to swing together with the liquid and that the movement of the wall surface along the direction of gravity in the fitting posture is restricted.