Ink Container Electrical Interface Foreign Matter Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink cartridges face connection failures due to foreign matter, such as dust, adhering to the contacts of the cartridge attachment portion, which interferes with the electrical connection between the electrode of the IC substrate and the contact of the attachment portion.
Innovation Solution
The ink container is designed with an electrical interface that includes an electrode group aligned in the left-right direction. The electrical interface is positioned apart from the supply portion upwardly, with a front end portion that extends beyond the electrode group in the left-right direction. This configuration ensures that when the ink container is inserted, the front end portion passes below the contact group, coming into contact with any foreign matter and removing it, thus preventing connection failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electrical interface is positioned close to the supply portion, then the device structure is more compact, but foreign matter can adhere to the contacts causing connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the electrical interface in a different spatial dimension (upward direction) away from the supply portion, separating the electrode group from areas prone to foreign matter accumulation while maintaining functional integration within the compact container structure
Solution Approach 2:
The front end portion of the upper wall acts as an intermediary element that removes foreign matter from the contact group during insertion, protecting the electrical interface without requiring physical distance alone
2Reliability
If the electrical interface is positioned away from the supply portion, then connection failures from foreign matter are prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The upper wall serves multiple functions: it supports the electrical interface, defines the container shape, and its front end portion actively removes foreign matter from contacts. This multi-functionality achieves reliability improvement without proportionally increasing structural complexity
3Reliability
If foreign matter removal mechanism is added, then connection failures are suppressed, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ink container itself performs the foreign matter removal function through its front end portion design, eliminating the need for separate removal mechanisms. The container's own structure during insertion automatically cleans the contact group
Solution Approach 2:
Foreign matter is removed from the contact group during the insertion process itself, before electrical connection is established. This preliminary cleaning action prevents connection failures without requiring additional operational steps
Data Source
AI summary
An ink container is insertable into an attachment unit that includes a contact group having a plurality of contacts aligned in a left-right direction. The ink container includes a main body that includes a chamber configured to store ink; a supply portion that extends forward from the chamber in a front-rear direction and is configured to supply the ink stored in the chamber to an outside of the main body; and an electrical interface positioned apart from the supply portion upwardly in an up-down direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and front-rear direction. The electrical interface includes an electrode group that has a plurality of electrodes aligned in the left-right direction. The electrode group is electrically connected to the contact group in a state where the ink container is inserted in the attachment unit.