Ink Container Latch Mechanism for Stable Attachment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in safely and efficiently replacing ink containers, as the concentrated load on the projection for fixing can lead to deformation or damage, and wide ink containers are prone to inclination during replacement.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a latch mechanism with a pin and pin supporting member, along with a container guide, allows for secure attachment and detachment of the ink container by guiding it along a predetermined direction, distributing the load and preventing inclination through the use of additional storage parts for the pin and boss, reducing stress on the pin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ink container is pushed into the cartridge holder to attach, then the attachment is secured through the projection and fixing member, but the load concentrates on the projection causing deformation or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidprojection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing structure is divided into multiple components: the projection on the cartridge holder, the recess and inclined face on the fixing member, and the elastic force mechanism. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple elements rather than concentrated on a single projection, preventing deformation while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic force mechanism (spring) is pre-configured to provide cushioning force during the attachment process. When the ink cartridge is pushed in, the elastic force absorbs and distributes the impact load, preventing concentrated stress on the projection while still enabling secure engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Quantity of substance

If the ink container has a wide width perpendicular to the insertion direction, then the storage capacity increases, but the ink container becomes easily inclined during replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink storage capacityVSAvoidcontainer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing mechanism incorporates dimensional elements perpendicular to the insertion direction, including the width of the projection, the shape and position of the recess, and the inclination angle of the fixed face. These dimensional features create mechanical constraints that prevent inclination while accommodating the wide width of the container for increased storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10946667B2Image forming apparatus and ink container

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a container guide and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a pin and a pin supporting member. The latch mechanism permits an attachment of the ink container to the container guide when the ink container is pushed in an attachment direction and the pin is stored in a first storage part and permits a detachment of the ink container from the container guide when the ink container attached to the container guide is pushed in the attachment direction and the pin is removed from the first storage part. The pin supporting member includes a boss. The boss is stored in a second storage part when the pin is stored in the first storage part, and the boss is removed from the second storage part when the pin is removed from the first storage part.