Cartridge Slit Design for Impact Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in reducing the size of the cartridge and the apparatus while maintaining functionality and preventing breakage due to impacts during handling or use.
Innovation Solution
The cartridge design includes a case with a storage portion and a flow path, an element substrate with an ejection port for liquid, and an electric wiring substrate. The case has a surface with a slit on at least one long side, which helps in reducing the width of the cartridge and enhancing its rigidity and durability by acting as a bending point during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cartridge size is reduced to make the liquid ejection apparatus more compact, then the apparatus size and scanning distance are reduced, but the cartridge becomes more susceptible to breakage from impacts during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a cushioning member between the cartridge body and the element substrate. This cushioning member is positioned in advance to absorb impact forces before they reach the fragile element substrate, preventing breakage during handling and transportation of the compact cartridge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films by using a flexible cushioning member that can deform to absorb impact energy. This flexible element is integrated into the cartridge structure to provide protection without adding significant volume, maintaining the compact size while improving durability
2Productivity
If the cartridge size is reduced, then the liquid ejection apparatus becomes more compact and throughput is improved, but the structural rigidity and resistance to impact forces are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is installed beforehand in the cartridge structure to provide impact protection. This allows the cartridge to maintain a compact design for high throughput while the cushioning member compensates for the reduced structural strength by absorbing impact forces during handling and operation
3Device complexity
If the element substrate is fixed directly to the cartridge body, then the structure is simplified, but the substrate is vulnerable to breakage from impacts and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by placing a cushioning member between the element substrate and the cartridge body. This cushioning layer is integrated into the fixation structure, providing impact protection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The cushioning member absorbs shock forces before they reach the element substrate, preventing breakage during handling and operation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cartridge that includes a case including a storage portion for storing liquid and a flow path that communicates with the storage portion; an element substrate including an ejection port that communicates with the storage portion via the flow path and that ejects liquid contained in the storage portion; and an electric wiring substrate that is electrically connected to the element substrate. The case has a surface to which the element substrate and the electric wiring substrate are fixed. Viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, a slit is provided in at least one long side of an outer periphery of the surface.