Ink Container Keying Structure for Correct Two-Step Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink cartridges do not adequately distinguish between different ink compositions or business models, leading to potential incorrect attachment and increased risk of damage due to concentrated load on key portions.
Innovation Solution
The ink container features distinct key portions positioned on different surfaces, allowing for a 2-step insertion process that ensures correct attachment by matching characteristics such as ink color or composition, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring proper fitting through multiple key portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple key portions are added to distinguish different ink compositions and business models, then the ability to determine ink characteristics is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment unit is segmented into multiple receiving portions (first receiving portion, second receiving portion, third receiving portion) that correspond to different key portions on the ink container. Each receiving portion checks a specific characteristic (ink color, ink composition, business model), allowing systematic verification of multiple attributes through modular structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different key portions are designed with distinct local characteristics: the first key portion corresponds to ink color, the second key portion corresponds to ink composition (dye or pigment), and the third key portion corresponds to business model type. Each key portion has a specific shape, position, or configuration that encodes a particular attribute, enabling precise identification of ink characteristics.
2Manufacturing precision
If key portions are positioned on the same location for easy manufacturing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability of key portions against damage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The key portions are distributed across multiple dimensions and locations on the ink container rather than being concentrated at a single point. The first key portion is on the front surface, the second key portion is on the side surface, and the third key portion is on the rear surface. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions ensures that if the container falls or is mishandled, not all key portions will be damaged simultaneously, improving reliability while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ink container (30) is configured to be insertable into an attachment space (108) of an attachment unit (101) in a first direction. The ink container (30) comprises: a main body that includes a chamber (46) configured to store ink and a supply port (34) configured to receive a supply tube (20) provided in the attachment space (108) for retrieving ink from the chamber (46), the supply port (34) facing in the first direction. The main body further includes: a first key portion (77); and a second key portion (78) positioned on an outer surface different from a surface on which the first key portion (77) is positioned, wherein: the first key portion (77) is configured to be received by a first receiving portion (115) of the attachment unit (101), when the ink container (30) is inserted into the attachment unit (101) in the first direction, and the second key portion (78) is configured to be received by a second receiving portion (138) of the attachment unit (101), when the ink container (30) moves in the attachment unit (101) in a second direction different from the first direction.