Fluid Container Sealing Structure Thermal Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid containers, such as ink cartridges, face issues with ink leakage due to poor precision in the circularity of fluid flow channels, leading to unreliable elastic sealing and potential breakage under pressure or vibration, especially in off-carriage-type ink supply systems where high ink flow rates increase stagnation pressure and reduce actual ink supply.

Innovation Solution

A fluid container design featuring a thermally adhered sealing film between the fluid flow channel and the sealing member, eliminating the need for elastic sealing between the inner wall and the sealing member, and using a polyolefin material for reliable thermal adhesion, ensuring secure sealing even with poor circularity precision and during external vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If elastic sealing is used between the inner wall of the fluid flow channel and the sealing member, then sealing flexibility is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to poor circularity precision and pressure-induced breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing flexibilityVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the elastic mechanical sealing system with a thermal bonding sealing system. The sealing film is thermally bonded to both the inner wall of the fluid flow channel and the sealing member, creating a rigid, pressure-resistant seal that eliminates the reliability issues of elastic sealing while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite sealing structure consisting of a sealing member, an elastic ring, and a sealing film. The sealing film serves as the primary sealing layer through thermal bonding, while the elastic ring provides secondary sealing and compensation, creating a multi-material composite system that overcomes the limitations of single-material elastic sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If high ink flow rates are used to meet printing demand, then printing productivity is improved, but stagnation pressure increases causing actual ink supply to decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting productivityVSAvoidactual ink supply

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a pressurizing chamber that pre-pressurizes the ink before it enters the fluid flow channel. This preliminary action compensates for the stagnation pressure that will develop during high-flow printing operations, ensuring that ink continues to flow at the required rate without supply deficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ink supply system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the pressurizing chamber for pressure buildup, the fluid flow channel for ink delivery, and the sealing structures for isolation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently, with the pressurizing chamber specifically designed to maintain pressure during high-flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If thermal adhesion is used to seal the sealing film, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing film attachment process with the assembly process itself. The thermal bonding of the sealing film to the flow channel and sealing member is integrated into the manufacturing sequence, eliminating the need for separate sealing operations and reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added thermal bonding step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Prevents ink leakage effectively by ensuring a reliable seal between the fluid flow channel and the sealing member, maintaining sealing integrity even with imperfect circularity and during external disturbances, thus enhancing the operational reliability of fluid containers.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing film covering the fluid flow channel and the open-end surface, the sealing film being thermally adhered to the open-end surface of the fluid outlet section and the sealing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal adhesion: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8322835B2Sealing structure of fluid container, and method of manufacturing and reusing fluid container

Publication Date: 2012.12.04 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

The invention provides a fluid-outlet-section sealing structure that includes: a fluid outlet section, a sealing member, and a sealing film. The fluid outlet section has a fluid flow channel and an open-end surface. The open-end surface of the fluid outlet section is formed at a fluid outlet end of the fluid flow channel of the fluid outlet section. The sealing member is provided in the fluid flow channel of the fluid outlet section. The sealing film is provided to cover the fluid flow channel of the fluid outlet section and the open-end surface of the fluid outlet section. The sealing film is thermally adhered to the open-end surface of the fluid outlet section and the sealing member.