Container Lid With Integrated Sensor For Ink Quality Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink supply systems for container direct printing machines are vulnerable to quality fluctuations due to external factors and are susceptible to counterfeiting, with complex and expensive ink containers that are difficult to recycle.
Innovation Solution
A container lid with integrated sensor and data processing units that record and store physical measurement variables related to the ink, such as temperature and humidity, to ensure consistent ink quality and enhance security against counterfeiting, featuring a tamper-evident design and easy recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic identification elements are added to ink tanks to prevent counterfeiting and ensure ink quality, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container lid is designed to serve multiple functions: it seals the ink container, provides a user interface for status indication, and houses the sensor unit and data processing unit for quality monitoring and authentication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate electronic identification elements, resolving the contradiction between security and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit and data processing unit automatically monitor ink quality parameters and authenticate the ink without requiring external intervention or complex additional systems. The system performs self-authentication and self-monitoring, improving security while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If ink containers are equipped with measuring electronics and additional chambers to monitor ink quality, then ink quality consistency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit and data processing unit are integrated into the container lid structure rather than being separate components. This merging of functions into a single integrated component achieves ink quality monitoring while avoiding the complexity and cost of separate measuring electronics and additional chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The quality monitoring function is localized to the container lid where the ink is stored and accessed. The sensor unit is positioned to directly monitor the ink in the container, providing localized quality control without requiring complex system-wide monitoring infrastructure.
3Reliability
If a multi-part lid structure with integrated sensor units and data processing units is implemented, then ink quality monitoring and anti-counterfeiting are improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into functional segments (sealing portion, user interface portion, sensor unit, data processing unit) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing process while maintaining overall integration, resolving the contradiction between functionality and ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
Container lid (632) connectable to an ink container (631) of a container direct printing machine (1), characterized in that the container lid (632) comprises an integrated sensor unit (632c - 632d) for detecting at least one physical measurement quantity, in particular wherein the at least one physical measurement quantity is assigned to a printing ink (T); and that the container lid (632) comprises an integrated data processing unit (632b) which is connected to the sensor unit (632c - 632d) and is configured to store the at least one physical measurement quantity at predetermined intervals.