Ink Cartridge Supply Opening Layout to Prevent Cover Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink flowing out of the supply opening in an ink cartridge can adhere to the cover, potentially contaminating the printer and recording sheets.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a cover positioned below the supply opening to protect the front portion of the container body, ensuring the supply opening is below the cover's lower end, and the cover is attached to the container body with protrusions and through-holes for easy attachment and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the supply opening is positioned at the front wall for easy liquid supply, then the liquid supply function is improved, but ink may adhere to the cover and contaminate the printer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the supply opening at the lower portion of the front wall, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate the opening from the cover's lower end. This spatial arrangement in the up-down direction prevents ink from adhering to the cover while maintaining frontward liquid supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary protective element positioned above the supply opening. By placing the opening below the cover's lower end, the cover serves as a barrier that prevents ink from reaching areas that would cause contamination, while still allowing liquid supply to proceed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover extends lower to provide better protection, then protection of the container body is improved, but the supply opening position becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The cover extends to a specific position where its lower end is above the supply opening, providing sufficient protection without excessive extension. This partial coverage is adequate to prevent ink adhesion while maintaining design simplicity and avoiding over-constraint of the supply opening position.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the supply opening is positioned higher for better cover coverage, then cover protection is improved, but liquid may flow out and contaminate the lower portion of the container body
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the supply opening at the lower portion of the front wall and ensuring it is below the cover's lower end, the patent utilizes vertical spacing to prevent liquid from flowing out and contaminating the lower portion of the container body, while the cover maintains adequate protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a container body, and a cover attached to the container body. The container body includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a liquid channel. The container body has a storage chamber in fluid communication with the liquid channel and positioned between the front wall and the rear wall in a front-rear direction. The liquid channel extends in the front-rear direction to have a supply opening that is open on the front wall and that is open frontward. The cover has an opening that is open rearward and the cover covers least a part of an outer surface of the front wall. The supply opening of the container body is positioned below a lower end of the opening of the cover.