Printing Cartridge Locking Mechanism with Merged Coil Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink cartridge locking structures for printing apparatuses require multiple parts, including separate springs for biasing and locking, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A simplified locking structure for a printing fluid cartridge using a coil spring that provides both biasing and locking functions, with an engage member that rotates between positions to secure and release the cartridge, reducing the number of parts needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate springs are used for biasing the ink cartridge and urging the locking lever, then the locking function is reliable, but the number of parts increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate spring functions into a single coil spring. The first end of the coil spring contacts the locking lever to provide urging force, while the second end contacts the ink cartridge to provide biasing force. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts while maintaining reliable locking and biasing operations.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for locking structure, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure uses a single coil spring to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components. The spring serves both as the biasing member for the ink cartridge and as the urging member for the locking lever, reducing part count and manufacturing cost while maintaining functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides biasing force to the ink cartridge and urging force to the locking lever. This universal component approach reduces the overall number of parts needed in the locking structure while maintaining optimized performance for each function.
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
This configuration reduces the number of parts required, simplifies the mechanism, and maintains effective cartridge attachment and detachment while minimizing ink adhesion to the spring.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring, which is compressible in the first direction, is disposed in the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
an engage member, which is rotatable between a first position and a second position
Data Source
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AI summary
The printing fluid supply apparatus comprises the printing fluid cartridge and a cartridge accommodating portion. The cartridge accommodating portion comprises a casing, and an engage member. The printing fluid cartridge comprises a main body including a chamber, an ink outlet portion, an engage portion, a contact portion, and a biasing member. The contact portion allows the engage member to rotate toward the first position by contacting with the engage member and allows the biasing member to make elastic deformation while the printing fluid cartridge installing to the casing. The engage member in the first position engages the engage portion, and the printing fluid cartridge is held in an accommodated position against the biasing portion when the printing fluid cartridge is achieved to the accommodated position in the casing. The biasing portion allows the printing fluid cartridge being held in the casing to move opposite to the insertion direction when the engage member rotates to the second position.