Liquid Holding Container Air Bubble Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid holding containers for inkjet printers face issues with air bubbles getting trapped in filters, leading to pressure loss and insufficient ink supply, which is a common problem across various liquid-consuming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates two through holes in the flow path, allowing air to be discharged from one hole while ink flows in through the other, with the filter positioned between them to reduce air trapping. The second through hole is preferably oriented vertically to enhance air discharge due to buoyancy, and the first through hole is closer to the liquid inlet to facilitate efficient air removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is provided in the flow path to trap foreign matter, then the liquid supply reliability is improved, but air bubbles get trapped in the filter causing pressure loss and insufficient liquid supply
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple sections with separate through-holes positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows different regions of the flow path to serve specialized functions: some holes facilitate liquid entry while others enable air discharge, preventing air bubble accumulation in the filter region.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces spatial dimensionality by positioning through-holes at different orientations (vertical vs. horizontal) and locations along the flow path. The vertical through-hole specifically exploits the vertical dimension to leverage buoyancy forces for air discharge, while horizontal holes manage liquid flow, creating a multi-dimensional flow management system.
2Manufacturing precision
If the filter is disposed in the flow path to remove foreign matter, then the liquid purity is improved, but pressure loss increases due to air trapping
Solution Approach 1:
Air bubbles are extracted from the liquid flow at designated through-holes before reaching the filter. By providing separate discharge paths for air (through vertically oriented holes) and liquid (through horizontally oriented holes), the system removes the harmful air phase that would otherwise accumulate in the filter and cause pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Air discharge paths are established in advance of the filter position, allowing air bubbles to be removed from the liquid before they can be trapped by the filter. The through-holes are strategically positioned upstream to enable preliminary air separation, preventing air accumulation that would lead to pressure loss downstream.
3Device complexity
If a single through hole is used for liquid flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but air discharge capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple through-holes are integrated into the flow path structure, each serving dual purposes: they function as liquid passage ways while simultaneously providing air discharge capability. The vertical holes specifically serve as air venting paths, combining flow management and air removal functions in a unified structure.
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 effectively reduces the risk of air being trapped in the filter, ensuring a consistent and sufficient ink supply to the printer by utilizing buoyancy and flow dynamics to manage air discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the second through hole is disposed in a tubular section provided along a direction intersecting with a horizontal direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently discharge air since all of the buoyancy of air (bubbles) in the hollow portion of the tubular section is applied in an air discharge direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid holding container includes a liquid accommodating chamber, a flow path, and a filter. The liquid accommodating chamber is configured and arranged to hold liquid. The flow path is communicated with the liquid accommodating chamber via a first through hole and a second through hole. The filter is disposed in the flow path. The first through hole and the second through hole are each communicated with the flow path.