Ink Container Light Guide for State Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet printers face challenges in providing clear and cost-effective notification of ink container states, especially in non-PC printing systems, where display integration increases costs and complexity, and accurate ink container positioning is crucial for preventing erroneous mounting and ensuring proper ink level indication.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a liquid container with a light emitting portion and a light guide portion that separates the emission source from the display, eliminating the need for wiring and allowing for optimal placement, ensuring both viewability and operational efficiency by guiding light to a display portion for user notification and position identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a display is provided on the main assembly of the printer to notify users of ink container state, then user notification capability is improved, but cost and size of the printer increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink container state notificationVSAvoidprinter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification function is extracted from the main printer assembly and relocated to the ink container itself. The ink container is equipped with a light-emitting portion that directly displays ink level status (sufficient, insufficient, or empty) on the container body, eliminating the need for a separate display device on the printer main assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ink container performs its own notification function through integrated light-emitting means. The container autonomously indicates its ink level state without requiring external display equipment, making the system simpler and more cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ink containers are mounted on the printer to support higher image quality printing, then printing capability is improved, but the risk of erroneous mounting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor printing capabilityVSAvoidmounting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide portion is provided at a specific position on the ink container that corresponds to a predetermined position on the carriage. This asymmetric positioning creates a unique geometric relationship that enables the light receiving portion on the carriage to accurately identify and distinguish between multiple ink containers, preventing erroneous mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with an optical identification system. The light guide portion emits light that is detected by the light receiving portion, creating an optical field-based positioning and identification system that is simpler and more reliable than traditional mechanical interlocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the light emitting portion is placed at a position allowing easy observation by the user, then user viewability is improved, but the arrangement latitude is limited due to electrical connecting portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidelectrical arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide portion is extracted as a separate optical element from the electrical connection system. It is provided at a position optimized for user observation without being constrained by the location of electrical connecting portions, as it transmits light rather than requiring electrical wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide portion acts as an intermediary between the light emitting portion and the user's eye. It transmits and guides the light from the emitting portion to the display position, allowing the emitting portion to be located at a position convenient for electrical connections while the display position is optimized for user viewing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides clear and reliable ink container state notification to users while reducing costs and complexity, ensuring accurate ink level indication and preventing erroneous mounting, thus enhancing operational efficiency and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide portion for guiding the light from the light emitting portion to a display portion which displays information by the light from the light emitting portion emerging therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guiding: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS7350910B2Liquid container and ink jet recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2008.04.01 CANON KK

AI summary

A liquid container for accommodating liquid for use with an ink jet recording apparatus includes a light emitting portion; an electric contact for receiving a signal for actuating said light emitting portion from the ink jet recording apparatus; and a light guide portion for guiding the light from said light emitting portion to a display portion which displays information by the light which is emitted from said light emitting portion and which emerges from said display portion.