Ink Replenishment Container Absorbing Member Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face issues with ink adhering to the spring plug of the ink replenishment container during replenishment, leading to staining when the container is removed, as the spring plug is exposed and ink can spill or stain.
Innovation Solution
A replenishment container design featuring a stopper member with a cylindrical portion, flange portion, and base portion, along with a seal member and absorbing member, ensures a double sealing structure and prevents ink from leaking or staining by using materials like HDPE and elastic bodies for the stopper and seal members, and polyolefin foamed bodies for absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a spring plug is used in the ink replenishment container, then ink can be supplied smoothly during replenishment, but ink adheres to the spring plug and causes staining when the container is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function (ink adhesion and staining) is extracted from the spring plug by adding a separate absorbing member. The absorbing member is specifically designed to capture and retain ink that would otherwise adhere to the spring plug and cause staining, while the spring plug continues to perform its primary function of ink supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbing member acts as an intermediary between the ink replenishment system and the external environment. It intercepts ink that might otherwise stain surfaces, serving as a protective barrier while allowing the spring plug mechanism to function normally.
2Ease of operation
If the spring plug is exposed during removal, then the replenishment container can be easily detached, but ink can spill or stain during the removal process
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbing member is pre-positioned within the replenishment container to capture ink before the container is removed. This preliminary action of ink absorption occurs while the container is still in place, preventing potential spilling or staining during the subsequent removal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbing member provides beforehand cushioning by being ready to absorb any ink that might spill during container removal. This protective measure is in place before the harmful event (ink spilling) can occur, neutralizing the potential staining problem.
3Device complexity
If a simple plug structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but sealing reliability is insufficient to prevent ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The solution merges two distinct functional elements: the spring plug (for ink supply) and the absorbing member (for ink absorption and sealing enhancement). This combination maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving sealing reliability and preventing ink leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite functionality by combining a elastic spring plug material with an absorbing material. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve mechanical sealing (spring plug) and absorptive sealing (absorbing member), enhancing overall reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
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 staining by ensuring a secure seal and absorption of any remaining ink, preventing it from spilling or causing stains during the replenishment process.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbing member 315 made of a polyolefin foamed body or the like... absorbing member 315, made of a material having ink absorbability such as a polyolefin foamed body
Implementation Method 2
a seal member 314 made of an elastic body... seal member 314 made of an elastic body such as isobutylene-isoprene rubber or ethylene-propylene rubber
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a replenishment container and an inkjet recording device that are capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during ink or solvent replenishing. The replenishment container comprises a storage member having an opening formed therein and having a storage chamber that stores ink or solvent, a stopper member that seals the opening of the storage member, and a lid member that covers the stopper member. The replenishment container is characterized by: comprising a seal member that has a throughhole between the stopper member and the lid member; the lid member having a throughhole that is opened concentrically with the throughhole of the seal member; and the inner diameter of part or all of the throughhole in the seal member being smaller than the inner diameter of the throughhole in the lid member.