Liquid Container Overhang Absorbs Ink Inertial Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink tanks for inkjet printers suffer from ink leakage and spattering issues during replacement or external shocks, leading to user inconvenience and reduced ink storage capacity due to complex structures and pressure transmission to the ink supply port.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a housing with a flexible film and an overhang structure that absorbs inertial forces, reduces ink pressure, and directs ink flow through alternative paths to prevent spattering, incorporating a meniscus forming member and capillary force generating member to manage ink flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the intermediary reservoir is filled with ink and extends toward the ink supply port, then ink supply is facilitated, but external shocks cause ink pressure to be transmitted directly to the ink supply port, breaking the meniscus and causing ink to spatter
Solution Approach 1:
A foam body is introduced as an intermediary substance between the ink reservoir and the ink supply port. This foam body absorbs ink and provides a cushioning effect that prevents direct transmission of shock pressure to the meniscus at the ink supply port, thereby preventing ink spattering while maintaining ink supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the material at the ink supply port from a rigid or liquid meniscus-forming structure to a foam body that can deform and absorb energy. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate external shocks without transmitting excessive pressure to the ink supply port
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a ball valve is used to close the ink supply port, then ink spattering is prevented, but the structure becomes complicated and the ink storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the ball valve mechanism from the ink tank system. Instead of using a mechanical valve to prevent ink spattering, the design relies on the foam body's inherent ability to absorb shock and control ink flow, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining ink spattering prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The foam body serves as a simple, disposable-like component that provides the necessary shock absorption and ink flow control functions without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms. This approach trades a simple consumable component for a complex durable mechanism
3Productivity
If the intermediary reservoir is filled with ink and positioned near the ink supply port, then ink flow is improved, but the same configuration causes ink to easily spatter when the container is dropped or subjected to force
Solution Approach 1:
The foam body acts as an intermediary that maintains close proximity to the ink supply port for efficient ink flow while simultaneously providing shock absorption capability. This intermediary structure allows the system to achieve both good ink flow efficiency and reliability under shock conditions
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 effectively prevents ink from spattering even when subjected to external forces or shocks, maintaining a stable ink supply and reducing the risk of leakage, while maintaining a simple and efficient ink storage configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible film; a liquid reservoir configured to directly store liquid therein, the housing defining one side of the liquid reservoir and the flexible film defining another side of the liquid reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a first overhang protruding from the housing, and located in the liquid reservoir and substantially near the liquid supply port... configured to absorb the inertial force of liquid being generated in liquid in the liquid reservoir by an external force applied to the housing
Implementation Method 3
A capillary member T2004 inside the main ink reservoir T2003 holds ink and maintains a negative pressure therein
Implementation Method 4
The ink supply port T2002 is provided with a meniscus forming member (filter) T2009... configured to supply liquid to a recording head
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a housing, a flexible film, a liquid reservoir configured to directly store liquid therein and defined by the housing on one side and the flexible film on the other side, a liquid supply port provided in the liquid reservoir and configured to supply liquid to a recording head, and an overhang protruding from the housing and located in the liquid reservoir and substantially near the liquid supply port. The absorbing member is configured to absorb the inertial force of liquid, the inertial force being generated in liquid in the liquid reservoir by an external force applied to the housing.