Ink Marker Vertical Tube Gravity Flow Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ink markers experience inconsistent ink flow and short refill life, especially when used at a 90-degree angle, leading to inefficient marking and potential damage to the refill head due to user pressure.
Innovation Solution
The design features a vertical tube connected to a refill head within a base tube, incorporating a pivotal mechanism and a U recessed portion for easy refill replacement, ensuring consistent ink flow and extended refill head life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ink marker is used at a 90-degree angle (vertically), then the marking function is achieved, but the ink flow becomes interrupted or insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical tube structure that extends the ink reservoir in the vertical dimension, creating a height difference between the ink storage location and the refill head. This dimensional change enables gravity-driven ink flow even when the marker is held vertically at a 90-degree angle, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and ink flow reliability.
2Productivity
If users push or pull the marker hard when the color becomes shallow, then the marking function is maintained, but the refill head is distorted or destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the refill head from the main body by introducing a removable refill cartridge design. The refill cartridge can be easily detached and replaced without applying force to the refill head, eliminating the need for users to push or pull hard on the marker. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between maintaining marking function and preserving refill head integrity.
3Ease of operation
If the refill head is made compact for ease of use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the refill life becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the refill cartridge is inserted into the main body of the marker. The vertical tube is nested within the base tube, and the refill is nested within the vertical tube. This nested design allows for a compact overall structure that is easy to operate while accommodating a longer refill cartridge that extends the refill life.
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 provides uninterrupted ink flow and facilitates easy refill replacement, enhancing user convenience and the longevity of the refill head, even when used vertically, by maintaining sufficient height deviation for ink flow and simplifying the replacement process.
Implementation Method 1
According to the gravity principle, ink within a marking instrument flows down from a high position to a low position, and the flow rate of ink flowing is proportional to the height deviation from the start to the destination of flowing.
Implementation Method 2
the rate of ink flowing or provision will be apparently decreased approximate to zero, even zero, depending on the relation of the capillarity effect within a refill of the ink marker and the angle between the ink marker and the ground level.
Data Source
AI summary
An uninterrupted ink marker, which includes a base tube, a vertical tube, a refill head and a cap, is disclosed. The base tube includes an inner space, a base section and a bent section. The bent section is curvedly extended from the base section, and the base section has an open end to contain the refill head. The vertical tube, which has an inner space and a bottom end, is connected to the base tube on the bottom end and substantially vertical to the base section of the base tube. The cap has at least one U recessed portion for replacing to the refill head.