Ink Refill Container Cap Recess for Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink refill containers experience ink leakage due to internal pressure changes caused by temperature and atmospheric pressure fluctuations, leading to contamination of the ink-outlet forming portion when the lid is opened.
Innovation Solution
The ink refill container design includes a cap with a center protrusion and annular protrusion that pushes a valve to open, featuring a recess to hold ink and reduce leakage, along with a sealing member and spring member to manage internal pressure and prevent ink spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is opened to refill ink, then the container can be accessed for refilling, but internal pressure changes cause seals to release simultaneously and ink to spill out
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is divided into two independent sealing portions (first sealing portion and second sealing portion) that can be controlled separately. The cap structure includes a first sealing portion that seals the ink outlet and a second sealing portion that seals the lid opening, allowing independent control of each seal during opening and closing operations to prevent ink spillage while maintaining refilling accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed with pre-configured sealing portions and valve mechanisms that are prepared in advance to automatically seal the ink outlet before the lid is fully opened. The first sealing portion is positioned to engage with the ink outlet forming portion beforehand, ensuring that even if internal pressure changes occur during the opening process, ink spillage is prevented by the pre-established seal.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cap is designed with simple sealing, then manufacturing is easier, but ink leaks and contaminates the ink-outlet forming portion
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into multiple functional portions: a first sealing portion for sealing the ink outlet, a second sealing portion for sealing the lid opening, and a valve portion for controlling ink flow. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured separately with optimized structures, balancing manufacturing simplicity with effective sealing to prevent ink contamination of the ink-outlet forming portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the ink outlet and the external environment. The valve member with sealing member provides a controlled interface that prevents ink from leaking to contaminate the ink-outlet forming portion, while still allowing controlled refilling when needed. This intermediary structure mediates between the simplicity of the overall cap design and the requirement for effective contamination prevention.
3Device complexity
If internal pressure is not managed, then the container structure is simpler, but temperature and atmospheric pressure changes cause ink to spill
Solution Approach 1:
The cap structure incorporates self-regulating pressure management through its geometric design. The curved surface of the cap and the arrangement of sealing portions create an automatic pressure equalization mechanism that responds to internal pressure changes caused by temperature and atmospheric pressure variations. This self-service approach manages pressure fluctuations without requiring complex external pressure control systems, preventing ink spillage while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
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 design effectively reduces ink leakage and contamination by utilizing capillary action to retain spilled ink within the container, ensuring efficient refilling and maintaining the integrity of the ink-outlet forming portion.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing capillary action to retain spilled ink within the container
Data Source
AI summary
An ink refill container for refilling a printer with ink, includes: a container body; an ink-outlet forming portion including a tubular portion and a valve located in an ink outlet; and a cap configured to be detachably attached to the ink-outlet forming portion. The cap includes an inner top-surface portion. The inner top-surface portion includes a center protrusion configured to push the valve to open the valve, an annular protrusion configured to be in contact with the tubular portion to seal the tubular portion, and at least one of an annular peripheral wall portion and a plurality of ribs. A gap between the center protrusion and the peripheral wall portion or each of gaps between the ribs has a shape of a recess. The recess has a bottom on the inner top-surface portion side and an opening open toward the ink-outlet forming portion and is configured to hold ink.