Partitioned Liquid Tank for Stable Inkjet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge systems face challenges in efficiently supplying and collecting liquid to and from circulation-type heads, particularly in preventing sedimentation and maintaining stable discharge quality due to issues with pressure management and sedimentation within the liquid tanks.
Innovation Solution
A liquid tank design with a partitioned structure and communication path allows for a water head difference to drive liquid circulation, connecting supply and collection ports to the head, while a vacuum pump reduces pressure and an air layer acts as a damper to prevent bubble flow and stabilize discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-tank structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the liquid circulation efficiency and sedimentation prevention are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid tank is divided into a first tank and a second tank separated by a partition wall. The first tank stores liquid to be supplied to the head, while the second tank collects liquid from the head. This segmentation enables independent pressure management for supply and collection, improving liquid circulation efficiency and preventing sedimentation while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If negative pressure is applied to the second tank, then liquid circulation is improved, but bubble flow and sedimentation issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
An air layer is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid in the second tank and the negative pressure source. This air layer acts as a buffer that prevents direct contact between vacuum and liquid, thereby preventing bubble formation and sedimentation while still allowing negative pressure to drive liquid circulation from the first tank to the head.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by introducing an air layer to manage pressure differential effects. The air layer prevents direct pneumatic action on the liquid, avoiding bubble formation and sedimentation while maintaining the hydraulic benefit of negative pressure-driven circulation.
3Device complexity
If the liquid outlet is positioned high, then the communication path is simplified, but sedimentation and bubble flow increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid outlet is positioned at the bottom of the second tank rather than at the top, utilizing the vertical dimension to prevent sedimentation. This positioning ensures that liquid exits from the lowest point, preventing settled particles from being disturbed and bubbles from forming, while the communication path remains simple through proper routing.
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 enables efficient liquid supply and collection, reduces sedimentation, and maintains stable discharge quality by utilizing a water head difference and vacuum-assisted pressure management, minimizing bubble flow and sedimentation issues.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid tank includes a tank body configured to store a liquid to be supplied to a liquid discharge head, a first container, a second container, a partition dividing an interior of the tank body into the first container and the second container, a communication path disposed in the tank body, the communication path connecting the first container and the second container
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump that reduces pressure in the second container
Implementation Method 3
an air layer acts as a damper to prevent bubble flow and stabilize discharge
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid tank includes a tank body configured to store a liquid to be supplied to a liquid discharge head, a first container, a second container, a partition dividing an interior of the tank body into the first container and the second container, a communication path disposed in the tank body, the communication path connecting the first container and the second container, a liquid inlet communicating with the first container, a liquid outlet disposed at a position lower than the communication path, the liquid outlet communicating with the second container, a first connection port communicating with the first container, the first connection port disposed lower than the liquid inlet and configured to be connected to a supply port of the liquid discharge head, and a second connection port communicating with the second container, the second connection port disposed at a position lower than the liquid outlet.