Inkjet Printer Ink Conveyer Retainer Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet printers face issues with uneven distribution of white ink due to its higher density and larger particle size, leading to irregular ejection, insufficient flow, and uneven image coloration caused by settlement in tubes, especially with level differences between retainer members and inkjet heads.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus design where the ink conveyer retainer is positioned higher than the connecting portion with the inkjet head, maintaining the ink conveyer in a vertical range between the top level of the retainer and the bottom level of the ink cartridge, minimizing the entire height and horizontal range of the ink conveyer, thus reducing concentration gradients and ensuring steady ink flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the retainer members are arranged in positions higher than the carriages to maintain steady tube postures, then the pressure fluctuation of inks in the tubes is reduced, but the level differences between portions of the tubes being held by the retainer members and connecting positions of the inkjet heads become large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure stability of ink flowVSAvoidlevel difference in tube configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical positioning dimension by arranging the retainer member at a height different from the inkjet head connecting position. This dimensional adjustment allows the tube to be held at an optimal height for pressure stability while accommodating the connecting position requirements, effectively resolving the contradiction between pressure stability and level difference minimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tube length is increased to connect ink cartridges to inkjet heads, then the ink can be supplied to all heads, but the white ink settles out more easily due to larger particle size and higher density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink supply coverage to multiple headsVSAvoiduniformity of white ink distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the equipotentiality principle by minimizing level differences along the tube path and maintaining a substantially horizontal configuration where possible. This reduces gravitational effects on the high-density white ink particles, preventing settlement and maintaining uniform ink composition throughout the tube despite its length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Area of stationary object

If the carriages are driven in smaller space to carry inkjet heads, then the printer structure is compact, but the retainer members must be positioned higher creating larger level differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter internal spaceVSAvoidvertical level difference in tube

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the space constraint contradiction by utilizing vertical positioning of the retainer member. By arranging the retainer at a different height level, the system achieves compact horizontal space utilization while maintaining appropriate tube configuration for stable ink flow, effectively using the vertical dimension to solve the horizontal space limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration minimizes unevenness and concentration gradients of white ink within the tubes, preventing irregular ejection and ensuring consistent ink flow and image quality by maintaining the ink conveyer in a horizontal plane, reducing level differences and interference between arms.

Implementation Method 1

a first ink conveyer, which connects the first recording head and the first ink cartridge to convey the specific-colored ink from the first ink cartridge to the first recording head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConveyance:

Implementation Method 2

The first conveyer retainer is arranged in a position higher than a connecting portion of the first ink conveyer with the first recording head and holds the first ink conveyer in a vertical range between a top level of the first conveyer retainer and a bottom level of the first ink cartridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational settling prevention: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8087764B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.01.03 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus to form an image on a recording medium is provided. The printing apparatus includes a first recording head, which is movable in a main scanning direction and ejects a specific-colored ink onto the recording medium, a first ink cartridge to store the specific-colored ink, a first ink conveyer, which connects the first recording head and the first ink cartridge to convey the specific-colored ink, and a first conveyer retainer, which is movable along with the first recording head and holds the first ink conveyer to extend there-along. The first conveyer retainer is arranged in a position higher than a connecting portion of the first ink conveyer with the first recording head and holds the first ink conveyer in a vertical range between a top level of the first conveyer retainer and a bottom level of the first ink cartridge.