Liquid Absorber With Local Bonding For Ink Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid absorption members in ink jet printers have low versatility and high processing costs due to fused fibers, which complicates shape conformity and affects absorption characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A liquid absorber design featuring two layers of fiber substrates and liquid-absorbent resin, with bonded and unbonded portions, allowing for improved flexibility and absorption efficiency, and a method for producing these layers using water-soluble adhesives and resin particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If individual fibers are fused to one another with a fused resin, then the liquid absorption member can maintain its shape, but the liquid absorption member needs to be processed to fit the shape of the case, resulting in low versatility and high processing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local bonding only at the surface of the liquid absorption member rather than fusing all fibers throughout. This creates a differentiated structure where the surface maintains shape stability while the interior remains loose and adaptable, allowing the member to conform to various case shapes without requiring extensive processing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If individual fibers are fused to one another with a fused resin, then the liquid absorption member can maintain its shape, but the processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding is applied only at the surface level rather than throughout the entire volume of the liquid absorption member. This localized approach significantly reduces the amount of bonding material required and simplifies the manufacturing process, thereby lowering processing costs while still achieving the necessary shape stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If crushed pieces are used to conform to the shape of any desired case, then versatility is improved, but it is difficult to ensure good absorption characteristics because the crushed pieces can become unevenly distributed during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a differentiated structure where the surface is bonded to prevent uneven distribution and maintain structural integrity during transfer, while the interior remains unbonded to allow free movement and even distribution of liquid absorption materials. This ensures both reliable absorption characteristics and shape conformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid absorption member is divided into two functional zones: a bonded surface layer that provides structural stability and prevents material displacement, and an unbonded interior layer that allows free movement and even distribution of crushed pieces. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between maintaining shape and ensuring uniform distribution.
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 design ensures consistent and efficient ink absorption with reduced bulk density, improved conformability, and cost-effectiveness, preventing ink leakage and enhancing absorption capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid absorption member that includes a fiber substrate and liquid-absorbent resin
Implementation Method 2
the at least some of the fiber substrates are bonded to one another with at least one of a bonding force of a water-soluble adhesive and an adhesive force of the liquid-absorbent resin
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid absorber includes a case, a first liquid absorption member stored in the case, and a second liquid absorption member stored in the case. The case has an opening. The first liquid absorption member absorbs a portion of a liquid. The second liquid absorption member absorbs a portion of the liquid. The second liquid absorption member is disposed adjacent to the first liquid absorption member and is closer to the opening than is the first liquid absorption member. The first liquid absorption member and the second liquid absorption member include fiber substrates and a liquid-absorbent resin, the liquid-absorbent resin being liquid-absorbent resin particles.