Liquid Container Segmentation for Air-Free Waste Ink Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers in image recording apparatuses face issues with incomplete filling due to air mixing during negative pressure purge processes, leading to reduced waste ink storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design comprising a pouch and a case, where the pouch contains the liquid and is positioned in the case, allowing separate storage of the liquid and waste liquid, with the pouch expanding to accommodate the waste liquid while the case stores the cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the liquid container is filled with waste ink during negative pressure purge process, then air mixes into the waste ink, but the liquid container cannot be completely fulfilled with waste ink, decreasing the storable amount
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is divided into two separate storage spaces: a pouch for storing liquid cleaner and a tank for storing waste ink. This segmentation prevents air mixing during the purge process while maximizing the storable amount of waste ink, as each space is optimized for its specific function without interference from the other.
2Quantity of substance
If the pouch expands to receive waste ink, then the liquid container can accommodate more waste ink, but air mixing reduces the effective storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor of air mixing is eliminated by extracting the waste ink storage function from the flexible pouch and placing it in a separate rigid tank. The pouch is dedicated solely to storing liquid cleaner, while the tank stores waste ink, ensuring that no air mixes into the waste ink during the purge process.
3Device complexity
If the liquid container uses a single chamber design, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively separate liquid cleaner and waste liquid, reducing storage efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is segmented into two distinct chambers: a pouch for liquid cleaner and a tank for waste ink. This segmentation enables effective separation and independent storage of the two liquids, maximizing storage efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that consists of a container body with two functional zones.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid container including: a pouch and a case. The pouch includes a flexible bag and a spout with a first opening. The case includes a tank to store a liquid flowed through the second opening. The spout is fitted into the case, and the bag is positioned in the tank.