Liquid Tank Flow Path Design for Bubble Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid tanks for inkjet recording devices have complex filter structures that increase size, leading to inefficient ink supply and potential bubble-related failures, necessitating a solution to minimize size and ensure efficient ink delivery while reducing bubble emission.
Innovation Solution
A liquid tank design with a convex liquid communication flow path, an air communication flow path connected higher than the liquid communication flow path, and a filter chamber configuration that guides bubbles away from the ink supply path, along with a valve mechanism to control liquid flow and minimize air suction, effectively reducing the tank's horizontal size and preventing bubble ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter portion with bubble emission function is arranged midway through the flow path, then bubbles are emitted, but the structure becomes complicated and the filter portion increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into distinct sections: a rising flow path that extends upward and a lowering flow path that extends downward. This segmentation creates natural bubble separation zones where bubbles rise in the upward section and are prevented from entering the discharge head through the downward section, eliminating the need for complex filter structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is designed to extend in the vertical dimension rather than only horizontally. By creating a flow path that rises and then falls vertically, the patent utilizes the vertical space to separate bubbles from the liquid flow, reducing the horizontal size while maintaining bubble emission functionality.
2Reliability
If a filter portion with bubble emission function is arranged midway through the flow path, then bubbles are emitted, but the filter portion increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is designed to extend in the vertical dimension rather than only horizontally. By creating a flow path that rises and then falls vertically, the patent utilizes the vertical space to separate bubbles from the liquid flow, reducing the horizontal size while maintaining bubble emission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is segmented into distinct sections: a rising flow path that extends upward and a lowering flow path that extends downward. This segmentation creates natural bubble separation zones where bubbles rise in the upward section and are prevented from entering the discharge head through the downward section, eliminating the need for complex filter structures.
3Productivity
If the liquid supply portion is positioned to efficiently supply liquid, then ink supply efficiency improves, but the tank size may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply portion is positioned below the downstream end and extends downward toward the liquid supply port, utilizing the vertical dimension to optimize liquid flow efficiency while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint.
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
The design enhances ink supply efficiency, reduces the risk of bubble-related failures, and minimizes the tank's horizontal size, ensuring stable operation by efficiently managing air and liquid flow within the tank.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid communication flow path through which the first liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the liquid supply portion, the liquid communication flow path forming a flow path that is upwardly convex in a mounting state where the liquid tank is mounted to the carriage
Implementation Method 2
an air communication flow path through which the first liquid chamber is in communication with the liquid supply portion, the air communication flow path connected to the first liquid chamber in a position higher than a position of connection of the liquid communication flow path and the first liquid chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A liquid tank includes a liquid supply portion, a first liquid chamber, a liquid communication flow path and an air communication flow path. The liquid communication flow path includes an upstream end which is connected to the first liquid chamber, a rising flow path which is located on a downstream side with respect to the upstream end and which extends upward in a mounting state, a lowering flow path which is located on the downstream side with respect to the rising flow path and which extends downward in the mounting state and a downstream end which is located on the downstream side with respect to the lowering flow path and which is connected to the liquid supply portion. In the mounting state, the liquid supply portion is located lower than the downstream end and extends downward toward a liquid supply port.