Cartridge Bottom Wall Liquid Supply Portion Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In existing printing systems, the liquid supply portion is often disposed in the front wall of the cartridge, leading to inefficient liquid supply to the printing apparatus, resulting in a large amount of liquid being left unused in the cartridge.
Innovation Solution
The cartridge is designed with a liquid supply portion located in the bottom wall, intersecting the front wall, allowing for smooth liquid flow to the printing apparatus. This configuration ensures that the liquid is supplied efficiently, reducing the amount of liquid left unused.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the liquid supply portion is disposed in the front wall, then the cartridge structure is simple, but the liquid cannot be supplied smoothly and a large amount of liquid is left unused
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply portion is relocated from the front wall to the bottom wall, changing the spatial dimension of liquid supply. This dimensional change allows liquid to flow downward under gravity into the liquid containing portion, enabling complete liquid consumption while maintaining simple cartridge structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the liquid supply portion is disposed in the front wall, then the cartridge design is conventional, but liquid supply efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of supplying liquid horizontally from the front wall, the design inverts the liquid supply direction by placing the liquid supply portion in the bottom wall, allowing liquid to flow downward. This inversion enables gravity-assisted liquid flow, significantly improving liquid supply efficiency while maintaining compatibility with conventional cartridge mounting structures.
3Productivity
If the liquid supply portion is disposed in the bottom wall, then liquid supply efficiency is improved, but the cartridge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply portion in the bottom wall utilizes gravity to enable self-service liquid flow into the liquid containing portion without requiring additional pumps or complex control mechanisms. This self-service approach improves liquid supply efficiency while avoiding the complexity of active liquid delivery systems.
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 new cartridge design enhances the efficiency of liquid supply, reducing the amount of unused liquid and improving the overall operability of the printing system by allowing horizontal insertion and removal of the cartridge.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom wall that intersects the front wall and in which a liquid supply portion configured to be coupled to the liquid inlet portion is disposed
Data Source
AI summary
An amount of liquid that will be left in a cartridge without being consumed is reduced. The cartridge includes a liquid containing portion that contains the liquid; a front wall that is located on an insertion-direction side, an insertion direction being a direction of being inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; and a bottom wall that intersects the front wall and in which a liquid supply portion configured to be coupled to the liquid inlet portion is disposed.