Printing Fluid Cartridge Impact Protection via Protrusion Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink cartridges are prone to damage when dropped, particularly affecting the electrical interface and IC board, leading to issues with data readout and functionality, and existing protection solutions can interfere with attachment processes.
Innovation Solution
A printing fluid cartridge design where a protrusion is positioned to absorb impact instead of the electrical interface, allowing easy attachment and protection of the interface, with a second protrusion providing additional durability and support to prevent damage during falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protection walls are provided around the IC board or other members, then the reliability of the electrical interface is improved, but the ease of operation during attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into distinct functional zones: a first protrusion for impact absorption, a second protrusion for attachment assistance, and an IC board recess for protected mounting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The first protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the external environment (ground) and the electrical interface (IC board). By positioning the protrusion to contact the ground first during impact, it mediates the force transmission and protects the IC board from direct impact, while the second protrusion serves as an intermediary during attachment operations
2Ease of operation
If the electrical interface is positioned higher on the cartridge body, then the ease of operation during attachment is improved, but the reliability during impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the protection mechanism from the vertical dimension (where the IC board sits high for easy access) to the horizontal/longitudinal dimension by adding the first protrusion at the front end. This dimensional shift allows the IC board to remain accessible while the protrusion absorbs impact forces that would otherwise reach it during drops
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing fluid cartridge a printing fluid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a printing fluid consuming apparatus in an insertion direction. The printing fluid cartridge includes: a storage chamber, a supply portion, a rear surface, an upper surface, an electrical interface, a locking surface, one protrusion, and another protrusion. The storage chamber is configured to store printing fluid. The one protrusion and the another protrusion define a plurality of imaginary planes each of which passes through the one protrusion and the another protrusion. The plurality of imaginary planes includes a specific imaginary plane. The specific imaginary plane is positioned higher than any other imaginary plane between the one protrusion and the another protrusion. The electrical interface is positioned downward relative to the specific imaginary plane in the gravitational direction in the attached posture.