Ink Replenishment Container With Detachable Protrusions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ink supply containers require multiple types of opposing tabs to match different ink supply tank adapters, leading to high manufacturing costs and inconvenience, as users need separate containers for each printer due to varying adapter forms.

Innovation Solution

An ink replenishment container with a modular design featuring a recessed portion and an erroneous insertion prevention portion with detachable protrusions that can be adjusted to fit various ink tank shapes, allowing a single container to be used across multiple printers and reducing manufacturing costs by using a common molding apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple types of opposing tabs are formed in the ink supply container to match different ink supply tank adapters, then erroneous supply of ink can be prevented, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of erroneous ink supplyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The erroneous insertion prevention portion is divided into multiple protrusions that can be independently attached or detached. This segmentation allows a single container design to accommodate multiple ink tank adapter types by selectively assembling different protrusion configurations, thereby preventing erroneous ink supply while reducing manufacturing complexity compared to producing entirely different container types for each adapter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are designed to be attachable and detachable rather than fixed, enabling the erroneous insertion prevention portion to dynamically adapt to different ink tank adapter shapes. This dynamic configuration allows the same container body to work with multiple adapter types, maintaining reliability while simplifying manufacturing by using a single mold design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of ink supply containers are prepared for different printer adapters, then compatibility with various printers is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to the need to prepare separate containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various printersVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ink supply container is designed with universal compatibility through the attachable/detachable protrusions that can be configured to match different ink tank adapter shapes. A single container design serves multiple functions by accommodating various adapter types, eliminating the need for users to maintain separate container inventories for different printers while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are pre-designed with specific shapes and attachment mechanisms that correspond to standard ink tank adapter interfaces. Users can preliminarily configure the appropriate protrusion combinations before use, enabling quick adaptation to different printer types without requiring multiple pre-made container variants, thus improving convenience while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the erroneous insertion prevention portion includes detachable protrusions that can be attached and detached, then manufacturing cost is reduced by using a common molding apparatus, but the complexity of the erroneous insertion prevention portion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcomplexity of erroneous insertion prevention portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The erroneous insertion prevention portion is segmented into multiple discrete protrusions that can be independently attached or detached. This segmentation allows a single container design to accommodate multiple ink tank adapter types by selectively assembling different protrusion configurations, thereby preventing erroneous ink supply while reducing manufacturing complexity compared to producing entirely different container types for each adapter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10569556B2Ink replenishment container and method for manufacturing ink replenishment container

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a highly-convenient ink replenishment container. The ink replenishment container includes: a container main body portion capable of containing the ink; and an ink outlet forming portion that is to be attached to an end portion of the container main body portion and at which an ink outlet through which the ink flows out is formed. In a region located outside of the ink outlet, the ink replenishment container includes an erroneous insertion prevention portion that protrudes relative to the ink outlet in a direction opposite to the container main body portion in an axial direction as an axial center, and is configured to be inserted into a recessed portion and to prevent erroneous insertion into the ink tank. The erroneous insertion prevention portion includes protrusions that can be attached and detached, the protrusions are attached and detached in accordance with the shape of the recessed portion.