Liquid Consuming Device with Separate Paths to Prevent Liquid Depletion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid supplying devices face challenges in setting a difference in flow resistance between the liquid storage tank and the cartridge due to shared atmospheric communication, leading to complications in structure and cost, particularly when using semi-permeable membranes.
Innovation Solution
The device includes separate air and liquid flow paths with distinct communicating portions, allowing independent control of air and liquid flow resistances, eliminating the need for atmospheric communication in the liquid container and simplifying its structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a semi-permeable membrane is provided at the air communicating portion, then air can flow between the liquid storage tank and cartridge, but it becomes difficult to set the flow resistance during inflow of gas into the liquid storage tank to be greater than the flow resistance during inflow of gas into the cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air communication function into separate components: the liquid storage tank has a first air communicating portion with a semi-permeable membrane, while the cartridge has a second air communicating portion with a different semi-permeable membrane. This segmentation allows independent control of air flow resistance for each component, resolving the contradiction by enabling differentiated flow resistance settings without increasing overall structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different semi-permeable membranes with different flow resistance characteristics to different locations: the first semi-permeable membrane in the liquid storage tank has different permeability properties compared to the second semi-permeable membrane in the cartridge. This local quality differentiation allows optimal flow resistance control for each specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Reliability
If an air communicating portion is provided in the cartridge, then air can flow into the cartridge, but the cartridge may have a complicated structure and become costly
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge's second air communicating portion serves multiple functions: it controls air flow into the cartridge during operation and also facilitates liquid transfer from the liquid storage tank to the cartridge through the semi-permeable membrane. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby controlling manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable air flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The second semi-permeable membrane in the cartridge acts as an intermediary element that enables both air flow control and liquid transfer functions. By using this intermediate component, the cartridge achieves complex functionality without requiring separate dedicated structures for each function, thus controlling manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Device complexity
If the liquid storage tank and cartridge are both in communication with the atmosphere through the single air communicating portion, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to set a difference in flow resistance between inflow of gas into the liquid storage tank and inflow of gas into the cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single air communicating portion into two separate air communicating portions: the first air communicating portion in the liquid storage tank and the second air communicating portion in the cartridge. Each has its own semi-permeable membrane with differentiated flow resistance characteristics. This segmentation enables flow resistance differentiation while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular, independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality differentiation by providing semi-permeable membranes with different flow resistance properties at different locations: the first semi-permeable membrane in the liquid storage tank has different permeability characteristics compared to the second semi-permeable membrane in the cartridge. This allows independent optimization of air flow resistance for each component while keeping the overall structure simple.
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 design enables optimal setting of air and liquid flow resistances, preventing liquid depletion from the cartridge while maintaining a simple structure and reducing costs by eliminating the need for additional air communicating portions in the liquid container.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-permeable membrane provided at the air communicating portion
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid consuming device includes a liquid container, an air tank, a liquid tank, and an ejection head. The liquid container is connectable to the air tank and the liquid tank. The air tank includes: an air flow path; an air chamber configured to communicate with a first storage chamber of the liquid container through the air flow path; and a first air communicating portion. The liquid tank includes: a liquid flow path; a second storage chamber configured to communicate with the first storage chamber through the liquid flow path; a liquid outlet port to allow liquid in the second storage chamber to flow out therefrom; and a second air communicating portion. The air flow path is configured to provide communication between the first storage chamber and the air chamber in a state where the liquid container is connected to the air tank and the liquid tank.