Ink Cartridge Electrical Interface Positioning for Dust Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dust on the electrical interfaces of ink cartridges can lead to unstable connections and contamination of the printing fluid, causing issues with data reading and ink quality in printing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The ink cartridge design positions the electrical interface closer to the rear face than the printing fluid supply opening, ensuring that dust falling from the interface is less likely to adhere to the supply portion, thereby reducing the risk of fluid contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical interface is positioned at the front face of the ink cartridge, then the electrical connection is easily accessible for data reading, but dust can easily adhere to the interface and fall onto the printing fluid supply opening, causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the electrical interface from the front face to the rear face of the ink cartridge, changing its spatial location to a dimension where dust accumulation and fall onto the supply opening is minimized. This dimensional relocation resolves the contradiction by maintaining electrical accessibility while eliminating the dust contamination pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate protective structure (protective member) between the electrical interface and the printing fluid supply opening. This intermediary element prevents dust that may accumulate on the electrical interface from falling directly into the printing fluid, thus resolving the contamination risk while keeping the electrical interface accessible.
2Reliability
If dust is wiped off the electrical interface, then the electrical connection stability is improved, but the dust may fall onto the printing fluid supply portion and contaminate the ink
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member serves as an intermediary barrier that allows dust removal from the electrical interface without risking contamination of the printing fluid. The structure enables maintenance activities (wiping) while preventing the harmful transfer of dust to the ink supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical interface from the front face area near the printing fluid supply, relocating it to the rear face. This separation removes the potential for dust to transfer from the electrical interface to the printing fluid, allowing reliable dust removal without contamination risk.
3Ease of operation
If the electrical interface is positioned closer to the front face, then the data reading process is simplified, but the likelihood of dust adhering to the supply portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical interface is relocated to the rear face of the ink cartridge, changing its position to a dimension that reduces dust adhesion probability to the supply portion. This spatial reconfiguration maintains data reading capability while minimizing contamination risk.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, an electrical interface disposed at a particular face, such that the electrical interface is exposed to an exterior of the printing fluid cartridge, a chamber configured to store printing fluid therein, and a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, and comprising a printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply portion is configured to supply the printing fluid from an interior of the chamber to an exterior of the chamber via the printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply opening is positioned below the electrical interface when the printing fluid cartridge is in use. The electrical interface is positioned closer to the rear face than the printing fluid supply opening is.