Mini Tank Ink Container Layout for Bubble and Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording devices face issues with ink quality deterioration due to bubble ingress and viscosity increase in the ink flow path, leading to potential ejection errors in the recording head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container with a mini tank design featuring a main body portion, lid portion, and strategically positioned ink flow inlets, outlets, and bubble exhaust ports, which promotes ink stirring and efficient bubble removal, preventing bubbles and high viscosity ink from reaching the recording head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid container design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ink quality deteriorates due to bubble ingress and viscosity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is divided into multiple functional regions: a main body portion for ink storage and a separate lid portion for sealing and flow control. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each part's function, enabling bubble removal mechanisms and viscosity control features to be integrated into specific sections without complicating the entire container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A lid portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the ink storage space and the external environment. This lid serves as a mediator that controls liquid flow, seals the container, and provides pathways for bubble extraction while maintaining ink quality, thus protecting the ink system from direct exposure to air and contaminants.
2Reliability
If simple container structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but bubbles accumulate in ink flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The inner surface of the liquid container features curved surfaces and rounded corners instead of sharp angles. This curvature design prevents bubble accumulation by eliminating dead zones where air pockets could become trapped, while the smooth curved surfaces are easy to manufacture using conventional molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The container design enables self-service bubble removal through gravity-assisted flow paths and strategically positioned outlets that allow bubbles to naturally rise and escape without requiring external mechanical intervention. The structure itself provides the mechanism for bubble extraction through its geometric design.
3Reliability
If conventional flow path design is used, then device complexity is low, but ink viscosity increases leading to ejection errors
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the liquid container are designed with different local characteristics: the main body portion provides large-volume storage with gentle curvature for ink circulation, while the lid portion contains specialized flow control features and outlet structures. This local differentiation optimizes ink flow properties and prevents viscosity increase in critical areas without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire device.
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
Prevents ink ejection errors by effectively discharging bubbles and maintaining ink viscosity, ensuring high-quality image formation in the inkjet recording device.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom part and the side wall part constitute a corner part, which has an R-shaped inner surface at least partially
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid container (100) includes a main body portion (1) having a bottom part (11) and a side wall part (12), so as to store liquid in a containing region (10) enclosed by the bottom part (11) and the side wall part (12), a lid portion (2) that covers the containing region (10) from above, a liquid flow inlet (3) that allows the liquid to flow into the containing region (10), and a liquid flow outlet (4) that allows the liquid to flow out from the containing region (10) to a feed destination (70). The bottom part (11) and the side wall part (12) constitute a corner part (10a), which has an R-shaped inner surface at least partially.