Ink Container Plug with Inclined Tip to Stop Liquid Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection apparatuses, the detachment of plug members from liquid containers often results in liquid scattering and contamination, as the liquid adhering to the plug member can be splashed or dripped during removal, potentially reaching the user's hand.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a plug member with a body portion outside the storage chamber and a press-fitted plug portion inside, where the plug portion's axial line is perpendicular to the supply port's opening surface, and the leading end surface is inclined to direct adhering liquid away from the user, reducing scattering and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug member is press-fitted into the supply port to seal it, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the plug member becomes difficult to detach and requires force that may cause liquid scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is divided into a head portion and a cylindrical portion, with the cylindrical portion further segmented into an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface is press-fitted into the supply port for sealing, while the head portion provides a separate engagement area for detachment operations, allowing force application without compromising the seal or causing liquid scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical portion of the plug member acts as an intermediary between the sealing interface (inner peripheral surface) and the detachment interface (head portion). By providing a distinct structural element that can be engaged for removal while maintaining the seal, it mediates between the conflicting requirements of secure sealing and easy, clean detachment.
2Ease of operation
If the plug member is detached with liquid adhering to it, then the liquid can be accessed for refilling, but the liquid may scatter or contaminate the user's hand
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the sealing surface face outward where liquid would adhere and scatter upon removal, the design inverts the configuration by having the head portion face outward. This allows liquid to be accessed through the supply port while the head portion, which may have liquid on it, is oriented away from the user's hand during detachment, reducing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug member employs asymmetric design where the head portion and cylindrical portion have different functions and orientations. The cylindrical portion with the press-fitted inner peripheral surface is oriented toward the supply port for sealing and liquid access, while the head portion extends outward to provide a detachment interface that minimizes liquid scattering toward the user.
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
The design effectively minimizes liquid scattering and contamination by ensuring that adhering liquid collects and is wiped off during detachment, reducing the likelihood of ink reaching the user's hand during plug member removal.
Implementation Method 1
The plugs member is press-fitted in the injection port of the liquid container
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a container body including a storage chamber configured to store a liquid and a supply port configured to supply the liquid to the storage chamber, and a plug member to seal the supply port, the plug member including a body portion located outside the storage chamber and the supply port and a plug portion located inside the storage chamber and the supply port. The plug portion has a press-fitted portion to be press-fitted into the supply port and a leading end portion exposed to the storage chamber, an axial line of the plug portion is perpendicular to an opening surface of the supply port, and a leading end surface of the leading end portion is an inclined surface inclined with respect to a surface of the plug portion.