Ink Cartridge Locking Surface and Contact Surface Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving accurate positioning of ink cartridges due to creep deformation and tolerance issues in engaging portions, leading to potential ink leakage and inaccurate electrical interface alignment.
Innovation Solution
A printing-fluid cartridge design that utilizes a locking surface and contact surface to stabilize the cartridge's position relative to the consuming apparatus, preventing excessive load on the lock and positioning portions, and allowing for precise alignment of the electrical interface through a pivotable mechanism around the supply port, ensuring accurate positioning and reduced leakage risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the information storage device is disposed at the upper surface of the ink container, then positioning accuracy relative to the printing device is improved, but the engaging portion is more likely to experience creep deformation due to excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the load-bearing function into two separate components: the lock portion handles the locking force while the positioning portion handles the positioning accuracy. This segmentation prevents excessive load from being concentrated on the engaging portion, thereby reducing creep deformation while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a contact surface as an intermediary element between the ink container and the printing device. This contact surface distributes the load and provides a stable contact point, preventing excessive force from being applied directly to the engaging portion while maintaining accurate positioning of the information storage device.
2Ease of manufacture
If the engaging portion is configured of a plurality of parts, then assembly flexibility is improved, but tolerance accumulation adversely affects positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the lock portion and positioning portion into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the tolerance accumulation that would occur with multiple separate parts while maintaining the functional benefits of load distribution. The unified structure ensures accurate positioning without the complexity of assembling multiple components.
3Strength
If the lock portion and positioning portion are subjected to excessive load, then the structural strength is improved, but deformation occurs reducing positioning stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the load-bearing responsibilities between the lock portion and positioning portion. The lock portion is designed to handle the locking force while the positioning portion maintains positioning accuracy. This segmentation prevents excessive load from causing deformation in the positioning portion, thereby maintaining positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surface acts as an intermediary that distributes loads away from the positioning portion. By providing a stable contact point, it prevents excessive force from being applied to the positioning portion, thereby preventing deformation and maintaining positioning stability without compromising structural strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing-fluid cartridge is inserted into a printing-fluid consuming apparatus in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and attached thereto in a first posture. The printing-fluid cartridge includes: a storage chamber, a supply portion having a supply port, an upper surface and a locking surface positioned upward of the storage chamber, an electrical interface disposed at the upper surface, and a contact surface positioned rearward relative to the supply port of the supply portion in the insertion direction in the first posture. The printing-fluid cartridge inserted in the printing-fluid consuming apparatus is movable between the first posture and a second posture. In the first posture, the locking surface engages a lock portion and the contact surface abuts against a positioning portion. In the second posture, the locking surface is positioned downward relative to the lock portion and the contact surface is separated from the positioning portion.