Liquid Storage Container Partition Wall Structure for Reweldable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink cartridge recycling methods, such as those described in JP-A-2008-273114, are limited by the requirement that the upper portion of the wall must be crushable for welding, restricting the applicability and reusability of the ink cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage container design with a casing featuring multiple recess portions and films, where the dimensions of partition walls protruding towards the films are varied to facilitate easy welding and re-welding of films, allowing multiple refilling cycles without damaging the container structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the laminated film is welded to the cover film using heater heat, then the hole is sealed effectively, but the upper end surface of the container body wall is melted and crushed, limiting reusability
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is designed with differential protrusion dimensions: a first partition wall protrudes by a first dimension (greater than 1mm) to accommodate film welding without damage, while a second partition wall protrudes by a second dimension (less than 1mm) to prevent crushing. This local differentiation allows selective welding zones with different properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is pre-designed with partition walls having predetermined protrusion dimensions before welding operations. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that subsequent film welding and refilling operations can be performed multiple times without damaging the container wall, as the appropriate protrusion dimensions are already in place.
2Ease of manufacture
If the upper portion of the wall is allowed to be crushed for welding, then the film can be welded securely, but the ink cartridge cannot be refilled and re-welded again
Solution Approach 1:
Different partition walls are assigned different protrusion dimensions based on their functional requirements. The first partition wall has a larger protrusion (first dimension > 1mm) suitable for welding operations, while the second partition wall has a smaller protrusion (second dimension < 1mm) that preserves wall integrity for future refilling cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is segmented into multiple partition walls with different characteristics. This segmentation allows the container to have both weldable regions (first partition wall) and preservable regions (second partition wall), enabling a combination of easy welding and multiple refilling operations.
3Device complexity
If a uniform partition wall structure is used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the container cannot accommodate both easy welding and multiple refilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are designed with locally differentiated protrusion dimensions rather than a uniform structure. The first partition wall protrudes by a first dimension while the second partition wall protrudes by a second dimension, creating localized functional zones that enable both welding and multiple refilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls exhibit asymmetric protrusion dimensions relative to the container base. This asymmetry is intentional, with the first partition wall having a greater protrusion than the second partition wall, allowing each zone to serve its specific function (welding vs. preservation) optimally.
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
Enables multiple refilling cycles of the liquid storage container by ensuring easy and secure sealing of ports, preventing ink leakage and maintaining functionality, thus extending the life and usability of the container.
Implementation Method 1
The first film of the laminated film is melted by the heat of a heater and bonded onto the cover film
Implementation Method 2
A first dimension, which is a dimension of a protruding portion of a first partition wall from a configuration coupled to the first partition wall toward a first film welded to the first partition wall, is greater than a second dimension, which is a dimension of a protruding portion of a second partition wall from a configuration coupled to the second partition wall toward a second film welded to the second partition wall
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid storage container includes a casing including multiple recess portions at different portions, and multiple films welded to the casing to close recess portions. The recess portions constitute a liquid storage chamber, and flow path for liquid or air flow. The casing includes a first partition wall that defines a first recess portion among the recess portions and to which a first film is welded, and a second partition wall that defines a second recess portion among the recess portions and to which a second film is welded. A first dimension, which is a dimension of the first partition wall portion protruding toward the first film from a configuration coupled to the first partition wall, is greater than a second dimension, which is a dimension of the second partition wall portion protruding toward the second film from a configuration coupled to the second partition wall.