Liquid Container Member With Dual-End Suction For Uniform Ink Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containing members in inkjet printers face challenges in maintaining uniform concentration of precipitating components, leading to uneven printing quality due to uneven liquid distribution and difficulty in supplying uniform ink concentration as the liquid is consumed.
Innovation Solution
A liquid containing member with a communication channel having a first and second channel, where the first liquid sucking portion is positioned at the lower end on the gravity direction side and the second liquid sucking portion at the upper end on the anti-gravity direction side, ensuring that ink with high and low concentrations are mixed and supplied uniformly through the liquid supply port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid sucking portions are positioned at the center near the liquid supply port, then liquid can be easily sucked out, but liquid at the ends far from the sucking portions is not easily sucked out, causing concentration non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid sucking function is segmented into multiple liquid sucking portions (first and second liquid sucking portions) positioned at different locations - specifically at the lower end and upper end of the liquid containing portion respectively. This segmentation allows simultaneous suction from multiple zones, improving both suction efficiency and concentration uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid sucking portions are distributed along the vertical dimension (gravity direction) of the liquid containing portion, with one at the lower end and another at the upper end. This vertical distribution ensures that liquid from different height positions can be suctioned simultaneously, preventing concentration gradients while maintaining efficient liquid removal.
2Manufacturing precision
If liquid sucking portions are positioned at upper and lower portions, then liquids with different concentrations can be mixed, but both portions positioned at the center makes it harder to maintain uniform concentration as liquid is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Different liquid sucking portions are assigned to different local regions of the liquid containing portion - the first liquid sucking portion at the lower end and the second at the upper end. Each portion locally sucks liquid from its specific zone, and the combined effect ensures uniform concentration throughout the supply process.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid sucking portions are preliminarily positioned at the lower end and upper end of the liquid containing portion before liquid consumption begins. This preliminary strategic positioning ensures that as liquid is consumed, concentration uniformity is maintained throughout the entire liquid supply process, not just at the beginning.
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 ensures that ink with a uniform concentration is consistently supplied to the ejection head, maintaining printing quality and allowing for efficient ink distribution even as the liquid is consumed, preventing the formation of concentration gradients within the containing member.
Implementation Method 1
a first liquid sucking portion that sucks a liquid with a comparatively high concentration of the precipitating component in the liquid containing portion from a lower end on the gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion, and a second liquid sucking portion that sucks a liquid with a comparatively low concentration of the precipitating component in the liquid containing portion from an upper end on the anti-gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A liquid containing member that can supply a liquid having a uniform concentration of a precipitating component to a liquid ejecting portion is provided. A liquid containing member includes: a liquid containing portion that can contain ink; a liquid supply port for supplying the ink contained in the liquid containing portion to a liquid ejection head; and a communication channel that is in communication with the liquid containing portion and the liquid supply port. The communication channel has a first end that is positioned at a lower end on the gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion and can suck the ink, and a second end that is positioned closer to the anti-gravity direction side than the first end is, and can suck the ink, in an in-use state in which the ink is supplied from the liquid supply port to the liquid ejection head.