Ink Supply Container Outlet Valve Sealing During Refill Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing ink supply containers, ink can leak from the space formed between the ink inlet channel member and the sealing member after refilling, due to the misalignment of sealing positions, leading to potential ink wastage and contamination.
Innovation Solution
An ink supply container with an outlet valve unit comprising a valve housing, a spring member, a spring seat, and a membrane valve, which transitions between closed and open states to control ink flow through a valve-closed, sealed, and valve-open states, minimizing ink residue and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ink inlet channel member is removed from the ink outlet forming portion after ink supply, then the ink supply process is completed, but a space is formed between the valve body, sealing member, and ink inlet channel member where ink may leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the outlet valve unit to automatically close and seal the outlet before the ink inlet channel member is fully removed. The spring member pre-compresses the sealing member against the valve body, ensuring the seal is re-established during the removal process itself, preventing ink leakage from occurring in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ink inlet channel member and the sealing member. It provides continuous biasing force to maintain sealing pressure, ensuring that the seal transitions smoothly from open to closed state during removal, eliminating the leakage risk in the gap space
2Ease of operation
If the sealing position between the ink inlet channel member and sealing projection is located away from the sealing position between the valve body and sealing end, then the ink inlet channel member can be inserted and removed, but ink may stay in the formed space and leak to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from a fixed positional relationship and transfers it to the outlet valve unit's automatic sealing mechanism. The sealing action is separated from the insertion/removal operation itself, allowing the channel member to be freely inserted and removed while the valve unit independently manages the sealing state to prevent ink leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member pre-compresses the sealing member against the valve body in advance, creating a ready-to-seal condition. When the ink inlet channel member is removed, the pre-compressed sealing member immediately engages with the valve body to close any potential leakage paths, preventing ink from staying in spaces and leaking
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 solution effectively reduces ink leakage by maintaining a stable seal during refilling and removal, ensuring efficient ink supply without drips and maintaining the integrity of the ink container.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member disposed in the valve housing and supported by the valve housing, the spring member configured to apply a biasing force in a first direction toward the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a membrane valve disposed in the valve housing and supported by the valve housing, the membrane valve having elasticity and having a hole in a center thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An ink supply container includes an outlet valve unit. The outlet valve unit is configured to be in a valve-closed state, a sealed state in which a distal end portion of a spring seat pushed by an ink introduction member in a second direction opposite from a first direction is in contact with a front end of the ink introduction member and the membrane valve, and the membrane valve is in contact with the front end of the ink introduction member, and a valve-open state. When the ink introduction member is removed from the ink outlet forming portion, the outlet valve unit changes from the valve-open state to the sealed state and then to the valve-closed state.