Bag-in-box fluid supply coupling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pliable reservoirs used in printing devices are difficult to handle and couple with ejection devices due to their lack of rigid structure, leading to alignment issues and inefficiencies in liquid supply replacement.
Innovation Solution
A bag-in-box fluid supply system that includes a pliable reservoir within a rigid container, featuring a spout with a flange and lip, a wedge to secure the spout to the container, and a fluidic interface with a collar to ensure a fluid-tight and stable connection between the reservoir and the ejection device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pliable reservoir is used to hold print liquid, then the reservoir is easy to manufacture and cost-effective, but it is difficult to handle and couple with ejection devices due to lack of rigid structure
Solution Approach 1:
The pliable reservoir is nested within a rigid outer housing or box structure. The rigid housing provides the structural support and rigidity needed for easy handling and coupling with ejection devices, while the pliable reservoir inside maintains its flexibility and ease of manufacture. The rigid housing acts as an outer shell that protects and supports the inner pliable reservoir.
2Device complexity
If a pliable reservoir is used to hold print liquid, then the reservoir is simple in structure and low cost, but alignment issues occur when coupling with ejection devices
Solution Approach 1:
The pliable reservoir is nested within a rigid outer housing or box structure. The rigid housing provides the structural support and rigidity needed for easy handling and coupling with ejection devices, while the pliable reservoir inside maintains its flexibility and ease of manufacture. The rigid housing acts as an outer shell that protects and supports the inner pliable reservoir.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid coupling mechanism or interface structure is introduced as an intermediary between the pliable reservoir and the ejection device. This intermediary component provides precise alignment features and rigid connection points, enabling accurate coupling while allowing the pliable reservoir to remain simple in design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid container is used to hold the pliable reservoir, then the spout remains stationary and aligned, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pliable reservoir is nested within a rigid outer housing or box structure. The rigid housing provides the structural support and rigidity needed for easy handling and coupling with ejection devices, while the pliable reservoir inside maintains its flexibility and ease of manufacture. The rigid housing acts as an outer shell that protects and supports the inner pliable reservoir.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bag-in-box fluid supply may include a bag comprising a spout extending therefrom, the spout including a flange coupled to a surface of the bag and comprising a lip formed on the spout distal to the bag; a box formed around the bag to maintain the bag therein; a wedge to wedge a surface of the box between the lip and a surface of the bag; and a fluid interface to fluidically interface with the spout of the bag, the fluid interface including a fluidic channel and a collar disposed on a first end of the fluidic channel to secure the fluid interface to the spout.