Ink Cartridge Valve Biasing Dynamics for Leakage Prevention
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink cartridges face issues with ink leakage due to uneven biasing forces from resilient members, making mounting difficult and assembly complex, especially when different materials are used for the supply and air valves.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a mechanism with two lid members and biasing springs where the air communication portion is initially uncovered, and the ink supply portion is positioned below, ensuring the air lid member moves before the ink lid member, reversing the biasing forces during mounting to prevent leakage and simplify assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first biasing force and second biasing force are set to be relatively strong, then the supply valve may cover the ink supply opening reliably, but the user may have difficulty mounting the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the biasing forces time-dependent through the mounting process. Initially, when the cartridge is being mounted, the first biasing force (from the air valve spring) is stronger than the second biasing force (from the ink supply valve spring), allowing easy mounting. After mounting, the forces reverse and the second biasing force becomes stronger, ensuring reliable sealing. This dynamic reversal of force magnitudes resolves the contradiction between easy mounting and reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If different resilient members are used for biasing the supply valve and biasing the air valve, then the biasing forces can be optimized, but the assembly work of the ink cartridge may become complicated and operators may improperly install the incorrect resilient members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using substantially identical resilient members (springs) for both the air valve and ink supply valve. This eliminates the complexity of managing different spring types and prevents assembly errors. The identical components simplify the assembly process while still achieving the desired functional difference through their positioning and interaction during mounting, rather than through different material properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ink supply opening is positioned at the lowermost position with respect to the surface of ink stored in the ink chamber, then ink may leak via the ink supply opening when the cartridge is mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the valve mechanism to preemptively prevent ink leakage through proper positioning and force balance. The ink supply opening is positioned at the lowermost position for manufacturing simplicity, but the second lid member and second biasing member are configured to cover this opening and maintain sealing pressure. The preliminary design ensures that when the cartridge is mounted, the sealing force at the ink supply opening is sufficient to counteract gravitational ink flow, preventing leakage before it can occur.
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 reduces ink leakage and eases cartridge mounting by adjusting biasing forces, ensuring reliable sealing and user-friendly assembly, even when springs are interchanged during manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member configured to apply a first biasing force to the first lid member toward the first opening
Implementation Method 2
a second biasing member configured to apply a second biasing force to the second lid member toward the second opening
Data Source
AI summary
An ink cartridge includes a case having an ink chamber and a wall, an air communication portion having a first opening, and an ink supply portion having a second opening. The air communication portion includes a first lid member that moves between a first position not covering the first opening, and a second position covering the first opening, and a first biasing member that applies a first biasing force to the first lid member. The ink supply portion includes a second lid member that moves between a third position not covering the second opening and a fourth position covering the second opening, and a second biasing member that applies a second biasing force to the second lid member. When the first lid member is in the second position and the second lid member is in the fourth position, the first biasing force is less than the second biasing force.