Multilayer Waste Ink Absorber with Connecting Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges with waste ink absorption, including space constraints, increased production costs due to complex structures, and inefficiencies in absorbing large amounts of waste ink quickly, leading to potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a waste ink container with a multilayer absorber structure and a connecting absorber that facilitates faster ink spread and transmission between absorbers, allowing for increased capacity without increasing the device's size, using pulp fibers and a fibrous adhesive to enhance absorption efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a capacious waste ink absorber is used to absorb large amounts of waste ink, then the absorption capacity is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the waste ink absorber within the recording head cartridge itself, nesting the absorption function inside the existing structure. The absorber is positioned in the ink supply chamber or waste ink collection area, allowing waste ink to be contained and absorbed without requiring external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical space within the recording head cartridge by extending the waste ink absorber in the depth direction (z-axis). This allows the absorber to have sufficient volume for absorbing large amounts of waste ink while maintaining a compact footprint in the horizontal plane.
2Quantity of substance
If a multilayer waste ink absorber structure is used to increase absorption capacity, then the waste ink holding volume is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste ink absorber is divided into multiple layers with different absorption characteristics. The first layer (closer to the waste ink discharge port) uses a hydrophobic material to rapidly absorb waste ink, while the second layer (deeper in the structure) uses a hydrophilic material to hold and retain the waste ink. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials in a layered structure. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of different materials to achieve both rapid absorption and effective retention of waste ink within a compact volume.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer waste ink absorber is used to reduce production costs, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the absorption speed for large amounts of waste ink deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waste ink absorber is divided into multiple layers with different absorption characteristics. The first layer (closer to the waste ink discharge port) uses a hydrophobic material to rapidly absorb waste ink, while the second layer (deeper in the structure) uses a hydrophilic material to hold and retain the waste ink. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the waste ink absorber have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The outer layer has hydrophobic properties for rapid absorption, while the inner layer has hydrophilic properties for retention. This local differentiation of material quality optimizes the absorption process at each stage.
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 configuration effectively absorbs large amounts of waste ink in a short time, preventing leaks and reducing production costs by utilizing space efficiently and improving absorption speed.
Implementation Method 1
a waste ink absorber having a multilayer structure including a plurality of ink absorbing members
Implementation Method 2
ink absorbing members
Implementation Method 3
The connecting absorber transmits ink from the first absorber to the second absorber
Data Source
AI summary
A waste ink container of an ink jet recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink-retrieving absorbers and a connecting absorber connecting the ink-retrieving absorbers. The ink-retrieving absorbers have a multilayer structure including a plurality of layers of absorbing members. The connecting absorber has bent portions. The ink-retrieving absorbers have holes formed therein. The bent portions are inserted into the holes so as to be in contact with the layers of absorbing members of the ink-retrieving absorbers.