Ink Cartridge Side Restriction for Electrical Connection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid accommodating containers for liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with maintaining electrical connections and alignment due to external forces during printing, leading to potential misalignment and interference with the holder, especially when the container is moved or vibrated.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a liquid accommodating container with a first restriction portion on the second wall, which is separated from the liquid supply port and terminal group, allowing for restricted movement in the width direction and increased acceptable insertion angles, reducing the likelihood of interference and improving electrical connection stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the concave portion is provided on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge to restrict movement, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the electrical connection stability deteriorates due to external forces during printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the restriction portion from the bottom surface (first dimension) to the side surface (second dimension) of the ink cartridge. This dimensional change allows the restriction portion to engage with the holder in a different spatial orientation, effectively restricting lateral movement while preserving terminal group contact stability during printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the functions of movement restriction and electrical connection by positioning the restriction portion on the side surface away from the terminal group. This segmentation allows the restriction portion to independently restrict cartridge movement without interfering with the terminal group's electrical connection to the holder.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the restriction portion is provided on the bottom surface, then the movement restriction is achieved, but the insertion angle flexibility is reduced due to potential interference with the holder
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the restriction portion from the bottom surface to the side surface of the ink cartridge, the patent enables engagement with the holder in a lateral dimension. This allows the cartridge to be inserted at various angles without the restriction portion interfering with the holder structure, thereby improving insertion flexibility while maintaining movement restriction functionality.
3Reliability
If the terminal group is positioned closer to the bottom surface for electrical connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the movement restriction effectiveness is reduced due to interference with the restriction portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cartridge structure into distinct functional zones: the side surface contains the restriction portion for movement control, while the bottom surface houses the terminal group for electrical connection. This spatial segmentation eliminates interference between the two components, allowing both movement restriction and electrical connection to function optimally simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction portion is positioned on the side surface (lateral dimension) rather than the bottom surface (vertical dimension), creating spatial separation from the terminal group. This dimensional arrangement allows the terminal group to maintain stable electrical connection while the restriction portion effectively restricts cartridge movement without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved liquid accommodating container that can be attached to or detached from a liquid ejecting apparatus while restricting undesired movement is provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid accommodating container includes a container main body having a first wall that becomes a bottom surface when mounted, a second wall connected to the first wall, and a third wall connected to the first wall and faces the second wall; a liquid supply port; a terminal group having a plurality of terminals; and a first restriction portion provided in the second wall in a position closer to the first wall than the terminal group, which cooperates with a first apparatus side restriction portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus to restrict at least the movement of the liquid accommodating container in a width direction.