Printer Check Valve Piston Sealing Ink Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

External ink tanks in printers are prone to ink evaporation and leakage, especially when the printer is not used for a long time or is carried, due to backflow issues.

Innovation Solution

A check valve system with a piston shaft and trigger shaft mechanism that seals the ink ports to prevent backflow and leakage, using a combination of sealing rings and elastic members to control the flow of ink, allowing for easy unlocking when the printer is used again.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the printer is not used for a long time, then ink can be saved, but ink evaporates and dries up or back-flows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink quantityVSAvoidink quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the ink supply path into separate sealed chambers using a piston structure. The piston divides the ink tank into two isolated chambers, allowing the ink supply path to be sealed off from the external environment during non-use periods, preventing evaporation and backflow while preserving ink quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using elastic members and sealing rings to preemptively prevent backflow and evaporation before they occur. The sealing mechanism is pre-configured to close automatically when the printer is not in use, counteracting the natural tendency of ink to evaporate or flow backward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the printer is carried or lifted, then mobility is improved, but ink leaks easily

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidink leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the ink supply path into a sealed, isolated chamber using the piston structure. This separation creates a self-contained system that prevents ink leakage during movement, as the ink is confined within the sealed chamber and cannot escape even when the printer is carried or lifted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses elastic members to provide beforehand cushioning against pressure changes during movement. The elastic components absorb and compensate for pressure variations that occur when the printer is moved, preventing ink leakage by maintaining pressure balance before leakage can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a check valve mechanism is added to prevent backflow and leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink supply controlVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through an automatic piston mechanism that responds to pressure changes without external control. The elastic members automatically drive the piston to open or close the ink supply path based on pressure differential, eliminating the need for complex external control systems while maintaining reliable ink flow management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic principles by leveraging pressure differential to drive the piston mechanism. The elastic members convert pressure changes into mechanical motion, automatically controlling the ink supply path opening and closing based on the pressure state, thereby achieving reliable control with a relatively simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Effectively prevents ink evaporation and leakage by sealing the ink ports during non-use and allowing ink flow when the printer is activated, ensuring continuous and reliable ink supply.

Implementation Method 1

a second elastic member disposed in the ink tank and connected to the piston shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a sealing ring connected to the piston shaft and disposed at an end of the piston shaft facing the ink port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10808852B2Check valve and system for continuous supply of ink to printer
Publication Date: 2020.10.20 HONG FU JIN PRECISION IND (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • US10808852B2 patent drawing
  • US10808852B2 patent drawing
  • US10808852B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for continuous supply of ink to a printer includes an ink tank, a supporting seat including several inkjet cartridges, and several check valves. The check valve includes a connecting tube having a first through port and a second through port, and a piston shaft movably installed in the connecting tube. The piston shaft moves to open or close the first through port. The first through port communicates with the ink tank by an ink tube and leakage of ink when the printer is lifted or when an inkhead is changed is prevented.