Horizontal Liquid Supply Device Cartridge Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid supplying devices have poor operability when replacing cartridges due to the vertical orientation requirement, making it inconvenient to attach and detach cartridges from the printer.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a liquid supplying device with a first storage chamber in the cartridge and a second storage chamber in the tank, connected via liquid and gas passages, allowing for horizontal attachment and detachment of cartridges, enhancing operability by enabling gas-liquid substitution for ink replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cartridge is connected to the sub tank in the vertical direction to enable ink supply, then the ink can be supplied from the cartridge to the sub tank, but the cartridge cannot be replaced from the front of the printer and operability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cartridge replacement direction from vertical to horizontal by reorienting the liquid flow passage. The cartridge can now be attached and detached from the front of the printer in the horizontal direction, while the liquid flow passage extends in the horizontal direction to connect the cartridge and sub tank, resolving the contradiction between reliable ink supply and ease of cartridge replacement
2Reliability
If the liquid flow passage extends below the gas flow passage in the sub tank, then the gas-liquid substitution works properly, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the passage arrangement by extending the liquid flow passage in the horizontal direction rather than vertically below the gas flow passage. The liquid flow passage opens to the side surface of the sub tank and extends horizontally to connect with the cartridge, reducing structural complexity while maintaining proper gas-liquid substitution function
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 configuration allows for stable and efficient ink supply from the cartridge to the tank, ensuring continuous printer operation while improving the ease of replacing cartridges, as the ink flows through the liquid passage and gas flows through the gas passage, preventing reverse flow and maintaining ink stability.
Implementation Method 1
the ink in the cartridge naturally drops via the liquid flow passage and is introduced into the sub tank
Implementation Method 2
the air in the sub tank having the same volume as the amount of introduced ink is introduced into the cartridge via the gas flow passage. Such a gas-liquid substitution is performed until the opening of the gas flow passage is blocked
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A liquid supplying device includes a tank and a cartridge configured to be attached to the tank. The cartridge includes a first storage chamber. The tank includes a second storage chamber, a liquid passage, a gas passage, and an air communication portion. The liquid passage has a first end formed with a first opening, and a second end formed with a second opening. The gas passage has a third end formed with a third opening, and a fourth end formed with a fourth opening. In an attachment state where the first storage chamber is in communication with both the second opening and the fourth opening, the first storage chamber has a portion positioned above the liquid passage and the gas passage, and the second storage chamber is positioned below the liquid passage and the gas passage.