Liquid Stirring Apparatus With Multi-Container Rotation for Ink Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid stirring methods, such as rotating the storage portion of a liquid, are inefficient in dispersing sedimented substances like pigment ink or metallic ink, leading to uneven distribution and reduced effectiveness in printing applications.

Innovation Solution

A liquid stirring apparatus with a shaftless support structure and a driving unit that rotates the storage unit, combined with a regulating mechanism, ensures even stirring of liquids by rotating the storage unit about a centerline, allowing multiple containers to be stirred simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the storage portion of the liquid is simply rotated, then the structure is simple, but the stirring efficiency is poor and sediment cannot be effectively dispersed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestirring efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage unit is divided into multiple storage containers, each capable of being rotated independently. This segmentation allows different containers to be stirred simultaneously with different rotation patterns, significantly improving stirring efficiency while maintaining a modular structure that doesn't overly complicate the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation mechanism is made dynamic by allowing the storage unit to rotate about a centerline in multiple directions (front-rear direction and left-right direction). The rotation can be performed in different patterns including rotating each container individually or rotating multiple containers simultaneously, adapting to different stirring needs and improving efficiency without requiring a completely complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple containers are stirred simultaneously, then productivity increases, but controlling the rotation of each container becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestirring throughputVSAvoidcontrol difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation mechanism is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple containers simultaneously. The storage unit can rotate about a centerline that passes through multiple storage containers, allowing all containers to be stirred at once. The mechanism supports different rotation patterns (individual or simultaneous rotation) and can accommodate different container configurations, simplifying control while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the storage unit rotates about a centerline, then stirring evenness improves, but the mechanism becomes more complex compared to simple rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid distribution uniformityVSAvoidrotation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation mechanism is designed to rotate storage containers about a centerline that passes through the gravitational center of the liquid in each container. This equipotential approach ensures that the liquid experiences uniform centrifugal forces during rotation, preventing sedimentation and achieving even distribution. The mechanism maintains this centerline rotation while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through the use of a turntable-style support unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 apparatus effectively disperses sedimented particles in liquids, improving the evenness of liquid distribution and reducing user burden, enhancing the quality of printed images by ensuring uniform ink composition.

Implementation Method 1

a driving unit that rotates the storage unit; The apparatus effectively disperses sedimented particles in liquids, improving the evenness of liquid distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4640436A1Liquid stirring apparatus, system, and control method
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 CANON KK
  • EP4640436A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4640436A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4640436A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid stirring apparatus (100) includes storage means (110) arranged to store a liquid, and driving means (130) arranged to perform a rotation operation of rotating the storage unit. The rotation operation includes a stop operation of stopping rotation of the storage means at a plurality of stop positions. The plurality of stop positions include a first stop position at which a stop time is a first time (T1), and a second stop position at which the stop time is a second time (T2) different from the first time.