Cartridge Peeling Disassembly to Reduce Chip Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods of disassembling liquid storage members and lid members in cartridges generate chips that can cause static electricity adhesion and ink clogging, making cartridge reuse challenging.

Innovation Solution

A method of disassembling cartridges by inserting a separation pin through a gap between the liquid storage member and lid member, peeling the welded joint using an acute-angle pin, and optionally using a concave guide to facilitate separation without cutting, thereby reducing chip generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cutting is used to separate the liquid storage member and lid member, then separation is achieved, but chip generation occurs causing static electricity adhesion and ink clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSeparation of liquid storage member and lid memberVSAvoidChip generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the cutting mechanism with a peeling mechanism. Instead of using a blade to cut through the joining portion, a peeling tool is inserted through the gap and used to peel apart the welded joint between the lid member and liquid storage member. This substitution eliminates chip generation while achieving effective separation of the components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a gap between the lid member and liquid storage member as an intermediary space. This gap allows the peeling tool to be inserted and facilitates the peeling action. The gap acts as a mediator that enables the separation process without direct contact between the cutting tool and the joining portion, thereby preventing chip generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If cutting is used to separate components, then separation is achieved, but chips may be mixed into liquid causing clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSeparation of cartridge componentsVSAvoidInk flow reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the cutting mechanism with a peeling mechanism to avoid generating chips that could contaminate the ink. The peeling tool separates the welded joint by peeling action rather than cutting, ensuring that no chips are produced that could mix into the liquid and cause clogging of the liquid ejection head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If welding is used to join lid member and liquid storage member, then strong joining is achieved, but difficult separation occurs generating chips

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveJoining strength of lid member and liquid storage memberVSAvoidSeparation ease for reuse

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gap between the lid member and liquid storage member during the joining process. This gap creates a separation plane that allows for easy separation later. The joining portion is designed with this gap feature, enabling the welded joint to be strong during use but easily separable when needed for reuse, by inserting a peeling tool through the gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gap is created in advance during the joining process, before separation is needed. This preliminary action of creating the gap makes future separation easy without requiring forceful cutting that would generate chips. The gap is prepared beforehand to facilitate clean separation when the cartridge needs to be reused.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250296345A1Cartridge, method of disassembling cartridge, and method of remanufacturing cartridge

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 CANON KK

AI summary

In a method of disassembling a cartridge, the cartridge including a liquid storage member including an opening and configured to store liquid, and a lid member configured to cover the opening, the liquid storage member and the lid member being joined at a joining portion, a gap being provided between a rear surface of the lid member and the liquid storage member, the method includes separating the liquid storage member and the lid member by inserting a member from the gap and causing the member to abut on the joining portion.