Flexible Liquid Container Pressing to Prevent Ink Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The liquid stored in a liquid container, such as ink, may undergo component separation over time, leading to a decrease in the quality of printed images due to settling of coloring materials.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus with support means, channel forming means, and pressing means to repeatedly press and release the liquid container, ensuring uniform distribution of the liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the liquid container is left undisturbed for storage, then the liquid can be stored for a long time, but component separation occurs and liquid uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing means periodically presses the liquid container at regular intervals during storage to prevent component separation. This periodic mechanical stimulation maintains liquid uniformity without requiring continuous intervention, resolving the contradiction between long storage duration and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing means is configured to automatically press the liquid container based on predetermined conditions (time-based or supply-amount-based) without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically maintaining liquid uniformity throughout storage, eliminating the need for manual mixing while ensuring composition stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid container is continuously pressed to maintain uniformity, then component separation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing means changes the pressing parameters (pressure, duration, frequency) based on the storage period and liquid properties. By adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining constant pressing, the system maintains liquid uniformity with a simpler mechanism that adapts to different storage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing means is designed as a separate, independent component that can be easily added to existing liquid storage systems. This extracted function maintains liquid uniformity without requiring complex integration into the overall storage system, reducing device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual mixing is performed to maintain liquid uniformity, then component separation is prevented, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing means automatically performs the mixing function without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors storage time and supply amount, and automatically presses the container when needed, eliminating the time loss associated with manual mixing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means uses feedback from time measurement and supply amount monitoring to determine when pressing is needed. This feedback mechanism ensures pressing occurs only when necessary to maintain uniformity, optimizing the balance between composition stability and time efficiency.
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
Improves the uniformity of the liquid in the container, maintaining image quality by preventing component separation and ensuring consistent supply to the printing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
pressing means for repeating a pressing operation and a pressing reduced operation with respect to the liquid container supported by the support means
Implementation Method 2
channel forming means connected to the liquid container supported by the support means, and for forming a channel through which liquid flows from the liquid container to a supply destination
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes support means for supporting a liquid container having flexibility, channel forming means connected to the liquid container supported by the support means, and for forming a channel through which liquid flows from the liquid container to a supply destination, and pressing means for repeating a pressing operation and a pressing reduced operation with respect to the liquid container supported by support means.