Ink Cartridge Handle Geometry for Easy Removal and Stable Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ink cartridge engagement mechanisms in ink-jet printers require significant force for removal, risk damage to the stylus and chip, lead to ink leakage, and unstable fixation due to design constraints that compromise miniaturization and sealing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The ink cartridge design includes a handle with specific distance relationships between its operation, engagement, and support portions, along with guiding and compression surfaces, to facilitate easy removal and stable fixation, reducing the need for excessive force and minimizing the risk of damage and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the movable lever size is reduced to maintain miniaturization, then the printer size is reduced, but the force required to take out the ink cartridge increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension by designing the movable lever to rotate around a rotating shaft. This transforms the linear force application into a rotational torque mechanism, allowing the lever to amplify the user's input force and efficiently separate the ink cartridge from the holder without requiring excessive linear force.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable lever is designed as a dynamic component that rotates between different positions (engaged and disengaged states) around a rotating shaft. This dynamic rotation allows the lever to adapt its orientation during the removal process, optimizing force application at different stages of cartridge separation.
2Ease of operation
If the ink cartridge is designed to move downward for separation, then the engagement portion can be separated, but the stylus or chip may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The movable lever is designed to perform preliminary action by rotating and moving the engagement portion horizontally before any downward movement occurs. This sequence ensures that the engagement portion is already separated from the holder's corresponding feature before the ink cartridge body moves downward, preventing damage to the stylus or chip.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation process is segmented into distinct phases: first the engagement portion separates via lever rotation, then the ink cartridge body moves downward. This segmentation allows each component to move independently in the optimal direction without interfering with fragile components like the stylus or chip.
3Ease of operation
If space is reserved in the -Z-axis direction for cartridge removal, then the cartridge can be removed, but the ink supply port and tube cannot be sealed tightly
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion separates from the holder before the ink cartridge body moves downward. This preliminary separation action eliminates the need for excessive downward space, allowing the ink supply port and tube to maintain tight sealing during the removal process while still enabling cartridge extraction.
4Reliability
If the elastic force of the stylus is increased for stable fixation, then the cartridge is held securely, but the cartridge bounces high during removal causing ink splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion is separated from the holder before the ink cartridge body moves downward. This preliminary separation eliminates the sudden release of elastic force from the stylus, preventing the cartridge from bouncing high and causing ink to splash, while still maintaining stable fixation during normal operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention provides an ink cartridge and a method for installing same. The ink cartridge includes at least a housing (11) and a handle (12). The housing includes an ink supply port (111), a plane in which the ink supply port (111) is located is a first plane, and another plane of the ink cartridge opposite to the first plane is a second plane. A direction along a longer side on the first plane is an X-axis, a direction along a shorter side on the first plane is a Y-axis; and an axis that is perpendicular to both the X-axis and the Y-axis is a Z-axis. The handle (12) includes: an operation portion (121), an engagement portion (122), and a support portion (123). The support portion (123) is connected to the operation portion (121). A distance from the engagement portion (122) to the support portion (123) and a distance from the operation portion (121) to the support portion (123) should meet the following formula: 2/3t < d < t, where t is the distance from the operation portion to the support portion in a Z-axis direction, and d is the distance from the engagement portion to the support portion in the Z-axis direction. The ink cartridge is easy to install, is stable in operation, is easy to take out, and has a long service life.