Ink Container Movable Member Film-Breaking Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink cartridges and liquid containers face issues with movable members being hindered by ink films, leading to inaccurate detection of ink levels due to surface tension and film formation, which restricts the pivotal motion and detection of ink sufficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a translucent portion, an ink supply portion, and a movable member with a signal blocking portion, float portion, and arm portion, allowing the movable member to pivot freely and preventing film formation through specific geometry and projections, ensuring accurate ink level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a movable member is used to detect ink level by pivoting away from the liquid surface, then ink level detection is enabled, but a film of liquid forms between the movable member and liquid surface which restricts pivotal motion and causes detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a film-breaking projection as an intermediary element that actively breaks the liquid film forming between the movable member and liquid surface. This projection protrudes from the movable member's surface and penetrates the liquid film during pivotal motion, preventing the film from restricting movement while maintaining accurate detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface parameters of the movable member by adding protrusions or projections that change the interaction dynamics between the movable member and liquid film. These geometric modifications alter the liquid film's continuity and adhesion characteristics, enabling smooth pivotal motion while preserving detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the movable member is positioned close to the liquid surface for detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but liquid film formation increases and restricts motion
Solution Approach 1:
The film-breaking projection serves as a mediator that selectively interacts with the liquid film while allowing the movable member to maintain its detection position close to the liquid surface. The projection breaks the harmful film during motion without interfering with the detection function when the member is in its detection position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality modification by adding the film-breaking projection only at specific locations on the movable member where it contacts the liquid surface during pivotal motion. This localized feature addresses the film formation problem at the critical interface without affecting other functional areas of the movable member.
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
Enables reliable and smooth pivotal motion of the movable member, preventing film interference and ensuring accurate detection of ink sufficiency, thereby addressing the limitations of existing ink cartridges and liquid containers.
Implementation Method 1
a float portion (73) and an arm portion (75). The movable member (70) is configured to pivot based on an amount of liquid stored in the ink chamber (100)
Implementation Method 2
The translucent portion (140) extends away from the ink chamber (100) in a predetermined direction
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a case, a translucent portion, an ink supply portion, and a movable member. The case defines a liquid chamber which is configured to store a predetermined amount of liquid. The translucent portion extends away from the liquid chamber in a predetermined direction, and has an inner space formed therein. The ink supply portion has a center line which is parallel to the predetermined direction. The movable member is pivotably positioned within the liquid chamber, and includes a signal blocking portion, a float portion, and an arm portion. At least a portion of the signal blocking portion is configured to be positioned within the inner space. Moreover, when the liquid chamber stores the predetermined amount of liquid, at least a portion of the arm portion is positioned further from the center line than the signal blocking portion is positioned from the center line.