Segmented Pressure Compensation Membrane for Ink Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional free-ink pens face challenges in regulating pressure differences between the ink reservoir and the outside environment, leading to potential leaks or writing stoppages due to insufficient buffer capacity in baffle devices, especially under extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pressure difference compensation membrane with parts of varying rigidities, designed to deform progressively in response to pressure changes, ensuring optimal operation by absorbing small and large pressure variations without risking leaks or writing stoppages, and optionally combined with a baffle device or porous hydrophobic part for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a baffle device is used for pressure regulation, then the reservoir can compensate for pressure variations during normal use, but the buffer capacity is insufficient under extreme pressure conditions leading to leaks or writing stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation membrane is divided into multiple sections with different stiffness values (first section with lower stiffness, second section with higher stiffness). This segmentation allows each section to handle different ranges of pressure differences, with the softer first section responding to small pressure variations and the stiffer second section handling extreme pressure differences, thereby increasing the overall buffer capacity and reliability under all conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the compensation membrane are assigned different local qualities (stiffness values). The first section has lower stiffness to be more compliant with small pressure changes, while the second section has higher stiffness to resist extreme pressure differences. This local differentiation optimizes the response characteristics across the full range of operating conditions.
2Device complexity
If a single-stiffness membrane is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot respond progressively to varying pressure differences leading to either leakage or writing interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into multiple sections with progressively different stiffness values. This segmentation enables progressive response to varying pressure differences - the first section with lower stiffness deforms first for small pressure differences, while the second section with higher stiffness deforms for larger pressure differences, ensuring reliable compensation across all pressure ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation membrane uses a composite structure with sections made of materials or constructions having different stiffness characteristics. This composite approach allows the membrane to exhibit non-linear deformation behavior, progressively engaging different sections based on the magnitude of pressure difference, thereby achieving high reliability without excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the membrane is made entirely flexible to respond to small pressure changes, then small pressure variations are absorbed well, but the membrane cannot withstand extreme pressure differences without causing leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into a first section with lower stiffness that responds easily to small pressure variations, and a second section with higher stiffness that provides structural strength to withstand extreme pressure differences. The series arrangement ensures that the flexible first section handles normal operation while the rigid second section prevents failure under extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the membrane are assigned different stiffness qualities. The first section has locally optimized lower stiffness for high compliance with small pressure changes, while the second section has locally optimized higher stiffness for strength against extreme pressure differences, achieving both ease of operation and structural integrity.
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
The membrane effectively manages pressure variations due to ink consumption and external conditions, preventing leaks and ensuring continuous ink flow, while being structurally simple and cost-effective compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the first section deforms, and the second section may also deform. Since the initial stiffness of the first section is less than the second stiffness of the second section, the first section deforms first or more than the second section for small pressure differences
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a membrane (20) for compensating pressure difference between the outside and the inside of a free ink reservoir of a pen or the like, comprising a first part (22) exhibiting a first rigidity, and a second part (24) exhibiting a second rigidity, the first rigidity being lower than the second rigidity. The invention also relates to a pen or the like comprising a free ink reservoir provided with such a compensation membrane (20).