Liquid Storage Tank Bubble Detection Under Negative Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting and managing bubbles in the liquid storage tanks, which can lead to inaccurate detection of the amount of liquid in the tank, leading to ineffective liquid storage, leading to inefficient liquid circulation and recording processes.

Innovation Solution

A liquid storage tank equipped with a bubble detector that senses bubbles above the liquid level, maintaining negative pressure with respect to the liquid functional components, and a circulation device that includes a supply tank and circulation channel to manage pressure differentials for effective liquid circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a bubble detector is installed in the liquid storage tank to detect bubbles, then the detection accuracy of bubbles is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebubble detection accuracyVSAvoidtank structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical bubble detection systems with a pressure-based detection method. By measuring pressure changes in the liquid storage tank, the system can detect the presence of bubbles without requiring complex mechanical sensors or visual inspection systems, thus improving detection accuracy while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pressure as an intermediary parameter to detect bubbles. Instead of directly detecting bubbles, the system measures pressure changes caused by bubble formation and accumulation, providing an indirect but accurate detection method that simplifies the overall system design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If negative pressure is maintained in the tank body to prevent bubble formation, then liquid circulation stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid circulation stabilityVSAvoidenergy for pressure maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic pressure control where the negative pressure is adjusted based on actual operating conditions. The pressure control unit modifies the pressure level in response to bubble detector signals and circulation requirements, allowing the system to maintain stability while minimizing energy consumption by applying pressure only when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from bubble detectors and pressure sensors to continuously adjust the negative pressure level. When bubbles are detected or circulation conditions change, the pressure control unit adjusts the pressure accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both stability and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the tank body communicates directly with the liquid functional component, then the liquid supply efficiency is improved, but bubble contamination of the functional component increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid supply efficiencyVSAvoidbubble contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pressure control unit as an intermediary between the liquid storage tank and the liquid functional component. This intermediary maintains negative pressure to prevent bubble formation and contamination while allowing efficient liquid communication, thus protecting the functional component from bubble damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic pressure control to manage the liquid supply system. By applying negative pressure through the pressure control unit, the system prevents bubble formation and contamination while maintaining efficient liquid flow to the functional component, leveraging pneumatic principles to solve both efficiency and contamination issues

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

Enhances the detection and management of bubbles, ensuring stable and efficient liquid circulation and recording processes, particularly in inkjet printers for digital textile printing.

Implementation Method 1

The tank body has a negative pressure with respect to the liquid functional component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4681925A1Liquid storage tank, liquid circulation device, recording device equipped with same, and liquid storage tank group
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4681925A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4681925A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4681925A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid storage tank includes a tank body that stores a liquid and a bubble detector that detects bubbles of the liquid above a level of the liquid in the tank body. The tank body communicates with a liquid functional component configured to perform a predetermined function for the liquid. The tank body has a negative pressure with respect to the liquid functional component.