Horizontal Liquid Supply Cartridge Attachment for Printer Ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid supply apparatuses in printers require vertical attachment and detachment of cartridges, which complicates the replacement process and limits the storage volume relative to the occupied space.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus design that allows the cartridge to be attached and detached horizontally, featuring a first storing chamber with a communication port parallel to the attachment direction, connected to a second storing chamber via a liquid channel and air channel, enabling improved workability and increased storage volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cartridge is connected to the sub tank in vertical direction, then the liquid supply mechanism works properly, but the cartridge replacement workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the attachment direction from vertical to horizontal (direction crossing vertical direction). The cartridge is configured to be attachable and detachable from the tank in a direction that crosses the vertical direction, allowing front-side access for cartridge replacement while maintaining proper liquid supply function through appropriately oriented communication ports and channels.
2Volume of moving object
If the cartridge and sub tank are connected side by side horizontally, then the storage volume increases relative to occupied space, but the attachment direction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cartridge and tank side by side horizontally, with the cartridge attached in a direction crossing the vertical direction. This horizontal side-by-side arrangement increases storage volume efficiency while the communication ports are oriented to facilitate proper liquid and air channel connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge includes a communication port open in a direction parallel to the attachment direction, specifically positioned on the secondary-front surface. This localized port orientation ensures proper connectivity with the tank's liquid and air channels while maintaining the horizontal side-by-side configuration for optimized space utilization.
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 replacement and increases the storage volume relative to the space occupied by the cartridge and tank, facilitating easier attachment and detachment while maintaining efficient ink supply during printing.
Implementation Method 1
Air in the sub tank with the same volume of ink having flowed is brought into the cartridge via the air channel. Such air/liquid replacement continues until the opening of the air channel is closed, and thus ink is stored in the sub tank.
Implementation Method 2
When a new cartridge is connected to the sub tank, ink in the cartridge flows down into the sub tank via the liquid channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes a tank and a cartridge attachable to and detachable from the tank along an attachment and detachment direction crossing a vertical direction. The 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 that communicate with the second storing chamber, and an air communication port allowing the second storing chamber to communicate with an outside thereof. 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 of the tank, the first storing chamber has a portion located above the liquid channel and the air channel in the vertical direction, and the tank is located below a secondary-lower surface and faces a secondary-front surface.