Liquid Container Partitioning for Uniform Ink Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with ink agglomeration and non-uniform precipitation in ink tanks, affecting printed image quality due to the uneven distribution of ink.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a liquid chamber with a first longitudinal partition that divides it into two sections, along with a refill port and an ink outlet port, and additional lateral partitions to extend the ink flow path, promoting uniform ink concentration and reducing sediment thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ink is stored in a simple ink tank without partitions, then the tank structure is simple, but ink agglomerates and precipitates non-uniformly affecting print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank is divided into multiple liquid containing portions by longitudinal partitions, which segment the ink storage space. This segmentation prevents ink agglomeration and non-uniform precipitation by creating separate zones that maintain better ink uniformity, directly resolving the contradiction between simple structure and ink quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Lateral communication passages are positioned between partition end portions and tank peripheral walls, creating additional flow paths in the horizontal dimension. This dimensional addition allows ink to circulate laterally, preventing sediment accumulation on tank walls and improving ink uniformity without significantly complicating the vertical tank structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If longitudinal partitions are added to divide the liquid chamber, then ink concentration uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid chamber is divided into multiple liquid containing portions by longitudinal partitions extending from the lower wall upward. This segmentation creates distinct zones that prevent ink agglomeration and maintain uniform concentration throughout storage, directly addressing the stability requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
Lateral communication passages serve as intermediaries between the partitioned zones, allowing controlled ink flow between adjacent liquid containing portions. These passages maintain concentration uniformity by enabling lateral circulation while keeping the partition structure relatively simple.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If lateral communication passages are positioned near partition end portions, then sediment precipitation on walls is reduced, but the flow path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Lateral communication passages are positioned between partition end portions and tank peripheral walls, extracting the flow path from the main vertical circulation. This positioning removes sediment-prone areas near tank walls from the primary flow path, reducing sediment precipitation while maintaining a relatively simple overall flow configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral communication passages introduce horizontal flow dimensionality at the partition ends, creating alternative flow paths that bypass wall regions where sediment typically accumulates. This dimensional change reduces sediment precipitation without requiring complex multi-level flow path configurations.
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 uniform ink concentration and reduces precipitation on the container walls, resulting in improved inkjet printing quality by maintaining consistent ink flow and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
Some ink may be prone to be agglomerated and precipitated, thus, such ink may non-uniformly precipitate in the ink tank
Implementation Method 2
A first lateral communication passage configured to communicate the first liquid containing portion with the second liquid containing portion may be positioned between an end portion of the first longitudinal partition in the horizontal direction and the peripheral wall
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a liquid chamber defined by an upper wall, a lower wall, and a peripheral wall, a refill port, a liquid outlet port through which ink is supplied from the liquid chamber to the outside, and a first longitudinal partition extending upward from the lower wall and configured to partition the liquid chamber into a first liquid containing portion and a second liquid containing portion in a horizontal direction. A first lateral communication passage is positioned between an end portion of the first longitudinal partition in the horizontal direction and the peripheral wall. The liquid outlet port is disposed in one of the first liquid containing portion and the second liquid containing portion.