Liquid Storage Device Tube Fixing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid storage devices in inkjet printers face a risk of agitation defects due to the ink supply path potentially becoming entangled with the shaft during ink agitation, leading to clogging and other operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage device design that includes a tank, a shaft, an agitator blade, a first tube for ink supply, a second tube for ink return, and a fixing member positioned above the agitator blade to secure the tubes and prevent entanglement, ensuring smooth ink agitation and circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the propeller member rotates to agitate the ink, then the ink circulation is improved, but the ink supply path may become entangled with the shaft causing agitation defects
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotating propeller member and the ink supply path. The guide member extends radially outward from the shaft and positions the ink supply path at a predetermined distance from the shaft, preventing entanglement while allowing the propeller member to rotate freely for effective ink agitation and circulation.
2Device complexity
If the ink supply path is positioned closer to the shaft for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of entanglement with the rotating propeller member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as a mediating structure that maintains a safe radial distance between the rotating propeller member and the ink supply path. This intermediary component prevents harmful entanglement while preserving structural simplicity, as the guide member can be integrated into the existing shaft or housing structure.
3Reliability
If the ink supply path is positioned farther from the shaft to prevent entanglement, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member enables reliable entanglement prevention by maintaining appropriate radial clearance between the ink supply path and the rotating propeller member. Despite increasing the radial distance, the overall device footprint remains compact because the guide member utilizes the existing radial space within the ink storage chamber rather than extending the device's external dimensions.
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 design reduces the likelihood of agitation defects and clogging, maintaining efficient ink circulation and supply to the inkjet head, while effectively preventing air entry and precipitate accumulation, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
The propeller member rotates in concert with the rotation of the shaft and agitates the ink
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid storage device includes a tank, a shaft, an agitator blade, a first tube, a second tube, and a fixing member. The tank is configured to store ink to be supplied to an inkjet head. The shaft is configured to be inserted inside the tank via an insertion hole provided in the tank. The agitator blade is disposed inside the tank and is connected to the shaft. The first tube is configured to supply the ink to the inkjet head. The second tube is configured to return the ink to the tank. The fixing member is disposed in a position higher than the agitator blade, and is configured to fix the first tube and the second tube.