Ink Container RFID Tag Positioning for Vibration and Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in managing ink containers efficiently, particularly with the integration of RFID technology, where the conductive layers in the ink container materials can interfere with wireless communication and cause vibration issues during transportation, leading to potential damage and ink leakage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an RFID tag fixed at a specific distance from the pouch pack within the ink container, ensuring effective wireless communication while minimizing vibration and preventing ink leakage through a unique spout configuration that eliminates the need for a shutter, thus simplifying the container's structure and enhancing the gas barrier properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an RFID tag is adhered on the container case for wireless communication, then ink container management is improved, but the conductive layer in the pouch pack interferes with wireless communication
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the RFID tag and the conductive layer in the pouch pack. This intermediate layer blocks the interference from the conductive layer, allowing the RFID tag to communicate reliably with the RFID sensing circuit board without being affected by the aluminum or other conductive materials in the pouch pack structure.
2Reliability
If the ink container is made with flexible film material including conductive layer, then gas barrier property is improved, but vibration during transportation causes damage and ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch pack is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers including at least one conductive layer (such as aluminum) for gas barrier properties and at least one non-conductive layer. This composite material structure provides both the required gas barrier performance and improved vibration resistance, preventing damage and ink leakage during transportation while maintaining the protective function of the conductive layer.
3Reliability
If a shutter is added to prevent ink leakage from the spout, then ink leakage is prevented, but the container structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the shutter component from the ink container design. Instead of adding a complex shutter mechanism to control ink flow, the spout is designed to be naturally closed or protected through the container's structural configuration, thereby preventing ink leakage while maintaining a simple and clean container structure without unnecessary moving parts.
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 ensures reliable wireless communication, reduces the risk of ink container damage, prevents ink leakage, and simplifies the container's design, while maintaining the gas barrier properties and storage stability of the ink.
Implementation Method 1
the ink container may be managed by a contact type sensing means or manage the ink container by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) as a non-contact type sensing means. Concretely, between an RFID tag adhered on the container case of the ink container and an RFID sensing circuit board attached to a container installed part to which the ink container is attached/detached, wireless communication is carried out.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkj et image forming apparatus includes an ink container and a container installed part. The ink container stores an ink, includes an RFID tag, a pouch pack and a container case. The pouch pack contains the ink and has a supply port discharging the ink. The container case houses the pouch pack and has a pack holding part holding the pouch pack and a tag fixing part. To the pack holding part, the supply port is fixed. The tag fixing part is provided adjacent to the pack holding part and has a needle insertion part. To the tag fixing part, the RFID tag is fixed at a distance from the pack holding part. The container installed part includes an RFID sensing circuit board carrying out wireless communication with the RFID tag and a needle inserted in the needle insertion part.