Ink Flow Path Coupling Mechanism for Leak-Resistant Coaxial Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently connecting and securing tubular components to maintain stable ink circulation, leading to potential leaks and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A flow path connection mechanism featuring rotatable coupling members with concavo-convex structures and guide grooves, allowing for secure connection and disconnection of tubular bodies with minimal clearance and enhanced coaxiality, utilizing laser welding for assembly to minimize leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coupling members are used to connect tubular bodies, then the connection can be established, but clearance increases and coaxiality deteriorates leading to potential leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is divided into a first coupling member and a second coupling member that connect via intermediate connection members. This segmentation allows each component to be precisely manufactured and assembled with controlled clearance, improving overall connection reliability while maintaining manufacturing precision through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection members with guide grooves and connecting protrusions act as intermediaries between the first and second coupling members. These intermediary elements precisely align the tubular bodies during assembly, ensuring minimal clearance and enhanced coaxiality, thereby preventing leaks while maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If conventional connection mechanisms are used, then assembly can be performed, but assembly precision decreases leading to increased leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection members are designed with pre-formed guide grooves and connecting protrusions that automatically align the first and second coupling members during assembly. This preliminary structural design ensures that when components are brought together, they self-align to achieve minimal clearance and enhanced coaxiality, preventing leaks while maintaining assembly precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a simplified guide groove and connecting protrusion mechanism. This substitution maintains assembly precision through geometric constraints rather than complex mechanical adjustments, thereby preventing leaks while easing the assembly process.
3Strength
If multiple connection components are used to ensure secure connection, then connection strength improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection function is merged into a integrated system where the first coupling member, second coupling member, and intermediate connection members work together as a unified assembly. This merging provides secure connection strength while the standardized, repeating patterns of the components keep the overall device complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection members serve multiple functions: they align the tubular bodies, provide structural connection, and maintain sealed pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment mechanisms and fastening components, thereby maintaining connection strength while reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A first coupling member includes a connecting protrusion. The first coupling member is inserted into a connection member, and thus respective concavo-convex structures of the first coupling member and a second coupling member engage with each other in a circumferential direction. The connection member has a guide groove. A rotation angle of the connection member by which the connection member is rotated from a state where the connecting protrusion fitted into the guide groove abuts on one side surface of the guide groove in the circumferential direction to a state where the connecting protrusion abuts on the other side surface of the guide groove in the circumferential direction is not less than ½ of a prescribed periodic angle.