Ink Supply Device Movable Cartridge Air Bubble Prevention
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink cartridges in image recording apparatuses experience instability during insertion, leading to potential air bubble introduction into the recording head and excess ink usage due to design constraints for minimizing backlash and ensuring ink level positioning.
Innovation Solution
An ink supply device with a movable ink cartridge that can shift between postures, aligning the ink flow direction with the insertion direction and inclining it to ensure the ink supply port is lower than the ink level, utilizing a joint and elastic members to secure and lock the cartridge, and an optical sensor system to monitor ink levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the port is positioned at the lower surface of the ink chamber to prevent air bubbles from flowing into the recording head, then air bubble introduction is reduced, but the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink cartridge is designed to be movable between a horizontal posture (during insertion) and an inclined posture (during operation), allowing the port position to dynamically change relative to the ink level. This dynamic positioning enables the port to remain below the ink level during operation while allowing complete ink usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the ink cartridge is optimized to maintain the port below the ink level during operation. By changing the operational posture parameter from horizontal to inclined, the system achieves both air bubble prevention and complete ink utilization.
2Ease of operation
If the cartridge mounting portion dimensions are set larger than the ink cartridge to accommodate size errors and insertion errors, then ease of insertion is improved, but the position stability of the ink cartridge deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is provided that preliminarily guides the ink cartridge into the correct position during insertion. The guide structure includes a guide groove and guide protrusion that align the cartridge before final engagement, eliminating the need for excessive clearance while ensuring easy insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism replaces loose mechanical fit with a guided engagement system. The guide structure provides precise alignment through geometric constraints rather than relying on clearance-based tolerance accommodation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a lock mechanism is provided in the cartridge mounting portion to secure the ink cartridge, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink cartridge includes self-aligning features such as guide protrusions and corresponding guide grooves that automatically position the cartridge correctly during insertion. This self-positioning mechanism eliminates the need for complex external locking systems while ensuring stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and guiding functions are merged into the basic structural elements of the cartridge and mounting portion. The guide structure serves both as a positioning element and as part of the mounting mechanism, reducing overall system 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
This configuration reduces ink remaining in the cartridge, stabilizes the cartridge position, prevents air bubbles from entering the recording head, and allows for complete ink usage without excess, while maintaining a compact device design.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member which urges the ink cartridge inserted into the cartridge mounting portion to a removal direction opposite to the insertion direction
Data Source
AI summary
An ink supply device includes: an ink cartridge including a port which is provided in a rear surface thereof at a lower portion of the ink chamber and which allows ink to flow in an ink flow direction and an engaged portion which is provided on an upper surface thereof; a cartridge mounting portion into which the ink cartridge is insertable in an insertion direction wherein the cartridge mounting portion is configured to accommodate the ink cartridge movably between a first posture and a second posture; a joint which is provided in the cartridge mounting portion and is connected to the port; a first elastic member which urges the ink cartridge to a removal direction; and a lock member which is engaged with the engaged portion to prevent the ink cartridge from being moved in the removal direction by the urging force of the first elastic member.