Liquid Supply Apparatus Asymmetric Angles Ink Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid supply apparatuses for large-size inkjet printers face issues with ink leakage due to the design of flexible ink tanks, where the ink leaks from the supply port and flows downward, potentially leaking out of the apparatus, especially when the tank is inclined.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus with a holding member that detachably holds a tray with a flexible container and a receiving member positioned below, where the angle of the bottom surface of the holding member differs from that of the receiving member, preventing ink leakage by guiding it to the receiving member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ink tank is disposed in an inclining position with the supply port at the lowermost end, then ink flow near the supply port is improved by gravity, but ink leakage risk increases as leaked ink flows downward and drops to the bottom surface
Solution Approach 1:
A receiving member is introduced as an intermediary component between the ink tank and the bottom surface. This receiving member captures leaked ink before it can flow out of the apparatus, thus mediating the harmful effect of gravity-driven ink flow while maintaining the inclined tank configuration for efficient ink supply
Solution Approach 2:
The downward flow of leaked ink, which was previously a harmful effect causing ink loss, is converted into a beneficial effect by directing it into the receiving member. The receiving member utilizes the natural downward flow to collect and retain the leaked ink, transforming the harmful gravity-driven leakage into a controlled collection process
2Loss of substance
If the flexible bag part is completely crushed along with ink consumption, then ink is fully utilized, but ink supply stops and the ink cannot be used any more
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving member is pre-positioned and prepared to receive any ink that may leak when the flexible bag is crushed. This beforehand preparation ensures that even when the tank is fully depleted and crushing occurs, there is a safety mechanism in place to prevent ink loss and maintain supply reliability
3Device complexity
If the bottom surface angles of the holding member and receiving member are the same, then structural simplicity is maintained, but ink leakage prevention is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom surface of the receiving member is designed with a different angle than the holding member, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetry is specifically engineered to guide leaked ink toward the receiving member while maintaining overall structural simplicity, demonstrating how targeted asymmetry can solve specific functional problems without unnecessary complexity
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
Effectively prevents ink leakage by directing any leaking ink to a dedicated receiving member, reducing the risk of ink loss and maintaining the apparatus's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
when the ink leaks from the ink tank, the supply port, and the like, the ink goes down along the inclined part, drops downward by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes a holding member and a receiving member. The holding member detachably holds a tray on which a container, that is flexible and is provided with a supply port for supplying liquid to a recording head, is placed with respect to the liquid supply apparatus. The receiving member is provided below the holding member attached to the liquid supply apparatus and receives a liquid leaking from the container. An angle of a bottom surface of the holding member with respect to a horizontal plane is different from an angle of a bottom surface of the receiving member with respect to the horizontal plane.