Segmented Liquid Supply Device for Stable Inkjet Head Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid supply devices require design changes when use conditions change, leading to instability in liquid supply to jetting heads, increased costs, and device size due to complex tube arrangements for ink supply in inkjet printers.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device with separate first and second shells for liquid and air storage, respectively, where the second shell can be easily configured or replaced to match changing use conditions, and a holding member maintains the positional relationship between the shells, preventing deformation and ensuring stable air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air storage chamber capacity is changed to match different use conditions, then the adaptability to use conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring design changes of the entire liquid supply device
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply device is divided into a first shell containing the liquid storage chamber and a second shell containing the air storage chamber. This segmentation allows the air storage chamber capacity to be independently adjusted by changing only the second shell, without redesigning the entire device. The holding member maintains the positional relationship between the two shells, enabling flexible configuration while reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ink storage containers are arranged to increase ink colors, then the versatility is improved, but the number of holding members and fixing members increases, leading to increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed to hold not only the tube but also the second shell (air storage chamber) in place. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed. When multiple ink storage containers are added, the same holding member structure can accommodate additional tubes and shells without requiring separate fixing members for each component, thereby reducing overall device complexity and costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tube arrangement is made complex to connect multiple ink storage containers, then the versatility is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is arranged to extend along the carriage with the holding member positioned in the upper portion of the liquid storage chamber. The second shell is attached to the first shell, creating a compact nested structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple ink storage containers to be integrated without significantly increasing the overall device volume, as components are arranged vertically and horizontally in a space-efficient manner.
4Ease of manufacture
If the air storage chamber is integrally formed with the liquid storage chamber, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to changing use conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply device is segmented into a first shell and a second shell connected by a holding member. This segmentation allows the air storage chamber (second shell) to be independently designed and replaced to match different use conditions, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized connection interfaces. The modular design enables flexible configuration without requiring complex integral molding processes.
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
Enables flexible configuration of air storage capacity without altering the entire device design, stabilizes liquid supply, reduces costs, and prevents device size increase by simplifying tube arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
an air storage chamber included in the second shell and located between the atmospheric opening port and the air inlet port
Implementation Method 2
a holding member for holding a mutual positional relationship between the first shell and the second shell to be constant
Implementation Method 3
an atmospheric communication channel that makes the outside and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device includes a first shell having a liquid storage chamber configured to store liquid and a liquid inlet portion through which the liquid is poured to the liquid storage chamber, a second shell that is a different member from the first shell, a holding member for holding a mutual positional relationship between the first shell and the second shell to be constant, and an atmospheric communication channel that makes outside and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other.