Ink Cartridge Protrusions for Drip Retention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet recording systems face issues with ink dripping from ink cartridges, leading to contamination of mounting portions and user contact, due to the design of existing ink cartridges which lack effective mechanisms to retain ink during and after cartridge removal.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates protrusions positioned below the ink supply portion, with a carefully selected distance between them to utilize capillary forces and retain any dripping ink, preventing it from reaching the mounting portion and ensuring cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the ink supply opening is positioned at the end of the ink supply portion, then ink can be supplied efficiently to the inkjet recording apparatus, but ink may drip from the ink supply opening onto the mounting portion when the cartridge is removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink supply efficiencyVSAvoidink dripping contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces protrusions as intermediary structures positioned below the ink supply opening. These protrusions act as a mediator to intercept and retain ink that would otherwise drip onto the mounting portion, while not interfering with the ink supply function to the inkjet recording apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of ink dripping into a beneficial retention mechanism. By positioning protrusions to catch dripping ink, the design transforms the potential contamination problem into a controlled retention system where ink is held by capillary forces between the protrusions, preventing it from reaching the mounting portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If the ink supply opening is positioned at the end of the ink supply portion, then ink can be supplied efficiently, but the mounting portion becomes dirtied and the user's hand may become dirtied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink supply efficiencyVSAvoidink contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions serve as an intermediary barrier between the ink supply opening and the mounting portion. They intercept ink that escapes from the opening, holding it in the space between the protrusions through capillary forces, thus preventing direct contamination of the mounting portion and user contact areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the harmful ink contamination into a controlled retention system. The protrusions create capillary channels that actively hold the escaping ink, transforming the waste problem into a functional retention mechanism that protects surrounding areas from dirtiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protrusions are added below the ink supply portion to retain ink, then ink dripping is suppressed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink dripping contaminationVSAvoidink cartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ink cartridge structure is segmented by adding protrusions that divide the space below the ink supply opening into multiple regions. These protrusions create distinct capillary channels between them, allowing ink to be retained in controlled segments rather than flowing freely, thus suppressing dripping with minimal structural addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions create a porous-like structure with multiple channels and spaces between them. This porous configuration increases the surface area for capillary action, enhancing ink retention capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be integrated into the existing cartridge design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 solution effectively suppresses ink dripping and maintains cleanliness by using capillary forces to retain ink between the protrusions, preventing contamination of the mounting portion and surrounding areas.

Implementation Method 1

a distance between the at least two protrusions may be selected, such that the at least two protrusions retain ink, which drips from the ink supply portion, therebetween by a capillary force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary force: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS7753505B2Ink cartridges and inkjet printers

Publication Date: 2010.07.13 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An ink cartridge includes a wall, and an ink supply portion positioned at the wall. The ink supply portion has an ink supply opening formed therein. The ink cartridge also includes a plurality of protrusions which includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, and each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend from the wall. In an embodiment, a distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is greater than 0 mm and less than a diameter of the ink supply opening. In another embodiment, the distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is greater than 0 mm and less than a diameter of the ink supply opening.