Inkjet Waste Liquid Tank Segmentation for Ink Mixing Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In inkjet printing systems, the mixing of different types of inks (pigment and dye) near the inflow ports of the waste liquid tank leads to sticking or depositing, reducing storage capacity and shortening the tank's lifespan due to incomplete diffusion of waste ink.
Innovation Solution
A waste liquid tank design with distinct inflow ports for pigment and dye inks, and a partitioned flow passage structure that restricts the movement of each ink type to prevent early mixing, ensuring they flow into separate areas of the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple types of waste ink are allowed to mix freely in the waste liquid tank, then the storage capacity is maximized, but sticking and depositing occurs near the inflow port reducing the tank's lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid tank is divided into multiple storage spaces (first storage space and second storage space) with separate inflow ports. The first inflow port receives waste liquid from a first discharge apparatus, and the second inflow port receives waste liquid from a second discharge apparatus. This segmentation prevents different types of waste ink from mixing near the inflow ports, eliminating sticking and depositing issues while maintaining overall storage capacity.
2Volume of moving object
If waste liquid inflow ports are positioned close together to save space, then the tank structure is compact, but different waste liquids mix prematurely causing depositing
Solution Approach 1:
By creating separate storage spaces with dedicated inflow ports for different waste liquid types, the patent prevents harmful mixing while maintaining a compact overall tank structure. The segmentation ensures that even when ports are positioned close together, the waste liquids remain separated within their respective storage spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic mixing zone by providing separate inflow ports and separate storage spaces for different waste liquid types. This extraction prevents the harmful interaction between different waste liquids near the inflow ports, eliminating sticking and depositing while maintaining space efficiency.
3Device complexity
If a single storage space is used for all waste liquids, then the device structure is simple, but different ink types mix and cause depositing that reduces storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid tank is segmented into multiple storage spaces, each with its own inflow port for receiving waste liquid from different discharge apparatuses. This segmentation prevents mixing of different waste liquids, eliminating depositing issues and maintaining effective storage capacity, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and integrated.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharging unit configured to be capable of discharging a plurality of kinds of liquids onto a medium, and a waste liquid tank including a storage part configured to store a waste liquid of the liquid. The waste liquid tank includes a first inflow port and a second inflow port from which the waste liquid flows into the storage part, and a restriction portion located between the first inflow port and the second inflow port, and configured to restrict movement of the waste liquid in the storage part.