Horizontal Ink Cartridge Attachment for Printer Sub Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid supply apparatuses in printers require vertical attachment of cartridges, which complicates the replacement process and limits the usable space for storing ink, making it inconvenient and less efficient.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus design where the cartridge is attachable and detachable in a direction crossing the vertical axis, featuring a unique configuration of liquid and air channels that allows for improved workability and increased storage capacity by overlapping liquid surfaces, enabling easier attachment and detachment, and optimizing the space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cartridge is attached vertically from above the sub tank, then the ink flow and air replacement mechanism works properly, but the cartridge replacement workability and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the attachment direction from vertical (above-subtank) to horizontal (front-rear), allowing the cartridge to be attached and detached from the front of the printer. This dimensional change in attachment orientation resolves the contradiction by making cartridge replacement more accessible and easier to operate while maintaining proper ink flow through redesigned channel configurations.
2Device complexity
If the cartridge is attached vertically from above, then the liquid channel and air channel can be positioned with openings facing each other, but the storage capacity and volume efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from vertical to horizontal attachment, the patent enables more efficient spatial arrangement of the cartridge and sub tank. This allows the liquid channel and air channel to be configured with extension portions that overlap in the vertical direction when viewed from above, maximizing the use of vertical space for ink storage while maintaining proper channel connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the first storing chamber of the cartridge and the second storing chamber of the sub tank are positioned to overlap in the vertical direction. This nesting configuration allows both storage chambers to occupy overlapping vertical spaces, effectively increasing the total ink storage capacity within the same horizontal footprint.
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
This design enhances the workability of cartridge attachment, increases storage capacity, and maintains efficient ink supply during printing by allowing horizontal attachment and detachment, thus improving the overall usability and efficiency of the printer.
Implementation Method 1
When a new cartridge is connected to the sub tank, ink in the cartridge flows down into the sub tank via the liquid channel. Air in the sub tank with the same volume of ink having flowed is brought into the cartridge via the air channel.
Implementation Method 2
When the cartridge is attached to the tank, the first storing chamber of the cartridge has a portion located above the liquid channel and the air channel of the tank. The second storing chamber of the tank has a first area located above a lower end of the first storing chamber of the cartridge in the vertical direction and a second area continuous with the first area and located below the first storing chamber of the cartridge in the vertical direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes a tank and a cartridge attachable to the tank. The ink cartridge includes a first storing chamber configured to store liquid therein. The tank includes a second storing chamber configured to store liquid therein, a liquid channel and an air channel, which both communicate with the second storing chamber. When the cartridge is attached to the tank with the first storing chamber of the cartridge communicating with the liquid channel and the air channel, the first storing chamber has a portion located above the liquid channel and the air channel. The second storing portion has a first area located above a lower end of the first storing chamber of the cartridge in a vertical direction and a second area continuous with the first area and located below the first storing chamber of the cartridge in the vertical direction.