Ink Cartridge Electrical Interface Dust Wiping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical connection between the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion can become unstable due to dust adherence, leading to issues with reading data from the semiconductor memory.
Innovation Solution
The printing fluid cartridge is designed to be inserted upright, with electrical interfaces and an engagement surface positioned to be accessed from the exterior, allowing for dust to be wiped off during insertion, and featuring a detection portion to indicate ink presence, thus reducing the likelihood of unstable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical interface is positioned inside the cartridge body, then the cartridge structure is compact, but dust accumulates on the interface causing unstable electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement surface is positioned to contact the cartridge body before the electrical interface during insertion. This preliminary action allows the engagement surface to wipe off dust from the electrical interface as the cartridge is being inserted, preventing dust accumulation that would cause unstable electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement surface acts as an intermediary element between the cartridge body and the mounting portion. It performs dual functions: mechanically retaining the cartridge and cleaning the electrical interface by wiping dust away during the insertion process
2Ease of operation
If the electrical interface is exposed on the exterior, then dust can be wiped off during insertion, but the interface becomes more vulnerable to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical interface is positioned to be accessible during insertion, and the engagement surface performs preliminary cleaning action by wiping the interface before full insertion is complete. This timing ensures cleaning occurs when the interface is naturally exposed during the insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the insertion motion itself to clean the electrical interface. The engagement surface automatically wipes dust off the electrical interface during the normal insertion process, without requiring separate cleaning operations or additional components
3Reliability
If the cartridge insertion requires force against biasing force, then secure retention is achieved, but the insertion process may spread dust around
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement surface serves as a mediator that performs dual functions: it provides mechanical retention by contacting the cartridge body against the biasing force, and simultaneously cleans the electrical interface by wiping dust away during the insertion process. The cleaning action occurs at the interface between the engagement surface and cartridge body
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion force that could potentially spread dust is converted into a beneficial cleaning action. As the cartridge is pushed against the biasing force, the engagement surface slides along the cartridge body and electrical interface, wiping dust away in the process of securing the cartridge in place
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 stabilizes the electrical connection and ensures reliable data reading from the ink cartridge, even if dust accumulates, by allowing for effective cleaning and accurate ink level detection.
Implementation Method 1
When the printing fluid cartridge is in the upright position, the height direction corresponds to the gravitational direction
Implementation Method 2
the engagement member slides on the at least one electrical interface during insertion of the printing fluid cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion. Therefore dust on the at least one electrical interface may be wiped off
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, a rear face positioned opposite the front face, at least one electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face, and an engagement surface. The at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface are exposed to an exterior of the printing fluid cartridge in a particular direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, the at least one electrical interface is positioned more forward than the engagement surface with respect to the insertion direction, and the at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface intersect a plane which is parallel with the insertion direction and the particular direction.