Partitioned Ink Storage in Head Modules for Uniform Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head modules experience variations in ink temperature due to uneven heating, leading to inconsistent ink viscosity and discharge issues, such as uneven density and landing position deviations.

Innovation Solution

The head module incorporates partitions within the liquid storage tank to create channels with alternating narrow and wide sections, promoting ink stirring and uniform temperature distribution, while using a heater on one wall to enhance thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heater is disposed on one wall of the liquid storage to heat the liquid, then the liquid temperature can be adjusted to an optimum temperature, but temperature variations occur within the liquid storage causing inconsistent ink viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid temperatureVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid storage is divided into multiple sections by partitions extending from the first wall toward the second wall. These partitions create multiple channels through which liquid flows, ensuring more uniform heat distribution and preventing temperature variations while maintaining the heating function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitions are strategically positioned to create narrow portions and wide portions in the liquid flow path. The narrow portions enhance mixing and heat transfer efficiency, while the wide portions maintain adequate flow capacity, achieving localized optimization of thermal distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple partitions are added to the liquid storage to improve temperature uniformity, then temperature variations are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidliquid storage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid storage is divided into multiple sections by partitions extending from the first wall toward the second wall. These partitions create multiple channels through which liquid flows, ensuring more uniform heat distribution and preventing temperature variations while maintaining the heating function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitions are strategically positioned to create narrow portions and wide portions in the liquid flow path. The narrow portions enhance mixing and heat transfer efficiency, while the wide portions maintain adequate flow capacity, achieving localized optimization of thermal distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces temperature variations, ensuring consistent ink temperature and discharge quality, minimizing uneven density and landing position deviations.

Implementation Method 1

a heater to heat the liquid storage in order to adjust the temperature of the liquid to be discharged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a channel in which the liquid flows from the inlet toward the outlet in the liquid storage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

promoting ink stirring and uniform temperature distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 4

using a heater on one wall to enhance thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20260061751A1Head module and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A head module includes a liquid discharge head, a liquid storage, and a heater. The liquid discharge head discharges a liquid in a first direction. The liquid storage stores the liquid. The liquid storage includes a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall in a second direction intersecting the first direction, an inlet on one end of the liquid storage, an outlet on another end of the liquid storage, and multiple partitions. The inlet introduces the liquid to the liquid storage. The outlet feeds the liquid to the liquid discharge head. The multiple partitions extend from the first wall toward the second wall with gaps between tips of the multiple partitions and the second wall in the second direction, respectively. The multiple partitions are arranged at intervals in the first direction. The heater is disposed on the first wall to heat the liquid in the liquid storage.