Ink Cartridge Electrical Interface Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing fluid cartridges face issues where the electrical interface is prone to excessive load and contamination with ink, particularly when the memory module is positioned at the front face, leading to potential damage and functionality issues.
Innovation Solution
The electrical interface is positioned between the front and rear faces with respect to the insertion and removal directions, thereby avoiding direct exposure to biasing forces and ink leakage, reducing the likelihood of excessive load and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the memory module is disposed at the front face of the ink cartridge, then the memory module can contact the contacts of the mounting portion with great speed when the ink cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion with great speed, but this may break or damage the memory module, or may at least affect the function or lifetime of the same
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the electrical interface from the front face (dimensional location at the insertion end) to the rear face or side surface (different dimensional location). This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension allows the electrical interface to avoid the high-impact zone during insertion while maintaining functional connectivity, thus resolving the contradiction between fast contact and reliability protection.
2Speed
If the memory module is disposed at the front face of the ink cartridge, then the memory module can be accessed quickly, but the memory module may directly receive the biasing force from the mounting portion while the ink cartridge is kept mounted to the mounting portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (such as a buffer, cushioning element, or structural mediator between the memory module and the mounting portion) that absorbs or distributes the biasing force. This intermediary protects the memory module from direct force exposure while maintaining its operational accessibility, resolving the contradiction between access speed and force protection.
3Ease of operation
If the memory module is disposed at the front face, at which an ink supply portion is disposed, ink may leak from the ink supply portion and contaminate and damage the memory module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the memory module from the front face location where ink leakage occurs, repositioning it to a different spatial location (rear face or side surface) that is free from ink exposure zones. This extraction separates the memory module from the harmful ink environment while preserving its electrical functionality, resolving the contradiction between ink supply efficiency and contamination prevention.
4Speed
If the electrical interface is positioned at the front face, then the electrical connection is established quickly during insertion, but the electrical interface is prone to excessive load and contamination with ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the electrical interface from the front face to the rear face or side surface of the ink cartridge, changing its spatial dimension. This repositioning allows the electrical interface to maintain connection functionality while avoiding the high-stress and high-contamination zone at the front face, thus improving reliability without sacrificing connection speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing fluid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction against a biasing force in a removal direction opposite the insertion direction. The printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward the insertion direction when the printing fluid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting direction, a rear face positioned opposite the front face with respect to the insertion direction, an electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face, and an engagement portion for retaining the printing fluid cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion against the biasing force.