Ink Container Inner Cylinder Geometry for Bubble and Viscosity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet recording devices face issues with ink quality deterioration due to the presence of bubbles and increased viscosity in the ink flow path, leading to potential ejection errors in the recording head.

Innovation Solution

A liquid container design with a mini tank featuring a specific configuration of ink flow inlets, outlets, and bubble exhaust ports, including an inner cylinder part with obtuse angles and R-shape corners, to prevent bubble and high viscosity ink from reaching the recording head, promoting efficient ink stirring and bubble discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional liquid container is used to store and feed ink, then the ink can be supplied to the recording head, but bubbles and high viscosity ink accumulate in the flow path leading to ejection errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink ejection reliabilityVSAvoidbubbles and high viscosity in ink

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid container is divided into multiple functional regions: a main body portion for bulk storage and a separate mini tank portion for flow control and bubble management. This segmentation allows the ink to be stored in the main body while the mini tank actively manages bubble removal and viscosity control through its specialized structure with corner parts and multiple openings, thereby preventing bubbles and high viscosity ink from reaching the recording head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful bubbles are extracted from the ink flow path through the bubble exhaust port in the mini tank structure. The mini tank acts as a separation chamber where bubbles rise and are discharged through dedicated exhaust openings, removing the harmful factor before the ink reaches the recording head, thus preventing ejection errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the ink is stored in a simple container without flow control structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ink viscosity increases and quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid container structureVSAvoidink viscosity and quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mini tank structure introduces localized quality variations through its corner parts with specific angle ranges (30° to 150°) and multiple openings positioned at different locations. These local structural features create specific flow patterns that prevent ink stagnation and maintain consistent viscosity, while the overall container remains relatively simple in form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The corner parts of the mini tank are designed with curved surfaces instead of sharp angles, creating smooth flow transitions that prevent ink stagnation and air bubble accumulation. The curved surfaces promote uniform ink circulation and maintain stable ink composition by eliminating dead zones where viscosity could increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the liquid container uses simple geometric shapes, then manufacturing is easier, but bubble discharge efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer shape fabricationVSAvoidbubble discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The corner parts are designed with specific angle parameters (30° to 150°) that optimize bubble discharge efficiency while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes. This parameter optimization allows the container to achieve high bubble removal efficiency without requiring complex or difficult-to-manufacture geometries, balancing ease of manufacture with functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents ink ejection errors by effectively removing bubbles and maintaining ink viscosity, ensuring high-quality image formation in the inkjet recording device.

Implementation Method 1

The inner cylinder part has an outer peripheral surface forming a corner part with the ceiling surface, the corner part having at least one of a shape having a plurality of obtuse angles and an R-shape, in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including an axis of the inner cylinder part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The bubble exhaust port discharges bubbles in the containing region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250388023A1Liquid container and inkjet recording device including same

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A liquid container includes a main body portion that stores liquid in a containing region enclosed by a bottom part and a side wall part, a lid portion, a liquid flow inlet, a liquid flow outlet, and a bubble exhaust port. The liquid flow outlet has an inner cylinder part that protrudes downward from a ceiling surface of the lid portion in a cylindrical manner, and is disposed in the containing region, so as to allow the liquid flowing in through a lower end opening of the inner cylinder part to flow out to the feed destination. The inner cylinder part has an outer peripheral surface forming a corner part with the ceiling surface, the corner part having at least one of a shape having a plurality of obtuse angles and an R-shape, in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including an axis of the inner cylinder part.