Ink Tank Cap Valve Mechanism Eliminates Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ink tank designs for image recording apparatuses face a risk of ink leakage due to the use of a rotation shaft and through hole for connecting internal and external components, which can lead to leakage over time due to sealing member deterioration or deformation.
Innovation Solution
The ink tank design eliminates the need for a rotation shaft by incorporating a cap that can open and close the valve within the tank using a simple structure, featuring an injection cylinder with independent flow paths and a valve body that opens and closes a communication passage between the first and second ink chambers, reducing the risk of leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rotation shaft and through hole are used to connect internal and external components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to sealing member deterioration or deformation causing ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotation shaft and through hole from the ink tank structure. Instead of passing components through the tank wall, the invention uses a cap that seals the opening and a valve body that moves within the tank to control ink flow, eliminating the harmful through-hole structure that caused leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a through-hole structure that penetrates the tank wall (which causes leakage), the invention inverts the approach by using a sealed cap structure with a movable valve body inside the tank. The valve body moves to open/close the communication passage without requiring any holes through the tank wall.
2Ease of operation
If a complex link mechanism is used to connect the cap and valve body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases and the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cap and valve body into a directly connected structure. The cap is directly coupled to the valve body, eliminating the need for separate link mechanisms. This direct connection simplifies the structure while maintaining the ability to open and close the valve by rotating the cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap serves multiple functions: it seals the opening of the ink tank, it acts as the operating handle for opening/closing the valve, and it provides the rotational motion needed to move the valve body. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate link mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rotation shaft through the tank wall is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential ink leakage through the through hole
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the rotation shaft that passed through the tank wall. Instead, the valve body moves within the sealed tank, and the cap seals the opening. This eliminates the through-hole structure that was difficult to seal reliably while maintaining ease of assembly through the direct cap-valve connection.
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 design effectively prevents ink leakage by eliminating the need for a through hole and complex link mechanisms, ensuring reliable ink supply and replenishment without compromising sealing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring arranged on the bottom inner wall of the ink tank and abutting on the second flange portion of the valve body
Implementation Method 2
a cap movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the injector
Data Source
AI summary
An ink tank includes: a first liquid storage chamber; a second liquid storage chamber communicating with the first liquid storage chamber through a communication passage; an injector having an opening supplying liquid to the first liquid storage chamber; a cap movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the injector; a slide member which is inserted so as to be vertically movable with respect to the opening of the injector, the slide member being moved downward by the cap in the closed position; a valve body which is vertically movably inserted in the communication passage and includes a first sealing member opening the communication passage by moving downward together with the slide member moved downward by the cap in the closed position; and an urging member always urging the valve body upward.