Ink Refill Container Positioning Surface Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved ink refill operation for ink tanks that minimizes refill failures and enhances the efficiency of the ink refill process for recording devices, as conventional methods often result in ink dripping and external contamination.
Innovation Solution
The ink refill container features a positioning structure with a positioning surface that intersects with the center axis of the ink outlet, allowing stable alignment with the ink tank, and a valve mechanism to prevent ink from adhering to the outlet or positioning surface, thereby reducing the risk of dripping and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ink outlet is positioned close to the ink tank for efficient refilling, then refilling speed is improved, but ink adhesion to the outlet and positioning surface increases causing dripping and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning surface as an intermediary element between the ink outlet and the ink tank. This positioning surface serves as a mediator that enables precise alignment and stable positioning during refilling, allowing the ink outlet to be positioned optimally close to the ink tank while preventing direct contact that would cause ink adhesion and dripping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the positioning function from the ink transfer function by extracting the positioning surface as a distinct structural element. This allows the ink outlet to focus on ink transfer while the positioning surface handles alignment and stabilization, reducing ink adhesion to the outlet itself
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the ink outlet is positioned away from the ink tank to prevent ink adhesion, then ink dripping is reduced, but refilling stability and alignment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning surface acts as an intermediary structure that enables the ink outlet to maintain optimal distance from the ink tank while achieving stable alignment. The positioning surface provides a stable reference plane that ensures consistent positioning without requiring the ink outlet to be in direct contact with the ink tank
Solution Approach 2:
The patent solves the positioning problem by introducing a new dimensional reference through the positioning surface. Instead of relying solely on the distance between ink outlet and ink tank, the positioning surface provides an additional spatial reference that enables stable alignment in multiple dimensions simultaneously
3Device complexity
If a simple ink refill structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy and refilling reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ink refill structure into distinct functional components: the ink outlet, the positioning surface, and the valve mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The positioning surface is implemented as a straightforward planar feature rather than a complex mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an ink refill container configured to appropriately refill an ink tank with ink and an ink refill system including such an ink refill container. An ink refill container 63 includes a container main body 64 provided to include an ink chamber 76; an ink outlet forming portion 66 provided at an edge of the container main body to include an ink outlet 65 configured to allow ink to flow out from the ink chamber; a valve 74 provided in the ink outlet forming portion and configured to seal the ink outlet in an openable and closable manner; and a positioning structure configured to abut on part of the ink tank and position the valve relative to the ink tank when the valve is opened. The positioning structure has a positioning surface 84 that is located on an opposite side to a container main body side where the container main body is located, across the valve and that is extended in a direction intersecting with a center axis 85 of the ink outlet.