Cartridge Negative Pressure Member Sharing for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing cost of cartridges with multiple printing material supply ports is high due to the need for varying specifications of negative pressure generating members, and there is a lack of consideration for reducing size, resource use, and improving usability in existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design where the negative pressure generating member is shared among multiple printing material supply ports, with a specific relationship between the length of the member and the number of ports, allowing for cost reduction and flexible volume adjustment, and incorporating a detection region to prevent false detection of printing material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the specification of the negative pressure generating member is changed in accordance with the printing material containing section corresponding to the number of printing material supply ports, then the printing material supply performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a negative pressure generating member that can serve multiple printing material supply ports simultaneously. The member is configured with a structure that allows it to generate negative pressure across multiple ports (N≥2) using a single component, eliminating the need to manufacture different specifications of negative pressure generating members for different numbers of ports. This reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable printing material supply performance across all ports.
2Productivity
If the number of printing material supply ports is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating multiple printing material supply ports into a single cartridge body that shares common structures. The negative pressure generating member, printing material containing section, and other components are designed to serve multiple ports simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity despite increased productivity capacity. The ports share common flow paths and control mechanisms, avoiding the need for completely separate systems for each port.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the volume of the printing material containing section is increased, then the duration of action is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback through the negative pressure generating member that actively monitors and maintains negative pressure within the printing material containing section. This feedback mechanism prevents unintentional leakage by detecting pressure changes and adjusting the negative pressure accordingly, ensuring that printing material is only supplied when needed through the controlled ports. This extends the supply duration while minimizing waste from leakage.
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 design reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes resource usage, and enhances usability by allowing the sharing of negative pressure generating members and optimizing the volume of the printing material containing section while preventing false detection of printing material.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure generating member which is provided between the pair of side surfaces and generates negative pressure in the printing material containing section
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge includes N number of printing material supply ports, N being a natural number of 2 or more, a printing material containing section, and a negative pressure generating member. The N printing material supply ports are arranged along the Y axis in a surface. The printing material containing section is provided between a pair of side surfaces opposing each other in a direction along a Y axis, and contains a printing material. The negative pressure generating member is provided between the side surfaces, and generates negative pressure in the printing material containing section. A relationship between a length W1 along the Y axis from one of the side surfaces to the other and a length W2 along the Y axis of the negative pressure generating member between the one side surface and the other side surface satisfies W2<W1/N.