Ink Tank Plug Cover Structure for Reliable Injection Port Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid discharge apparatuses face issues with the plug member of the ink tank injection port shifting during rotation, leading to incomplete closure and potential ink leakage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a plug member and retaining member configuration that allows the plug member to rotate and cover the injection port, featuring a loose-fitting engagement and a covering portion to ensure secure closure, absorbing positional shifts and preventing ink adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug member is rotated to cover the injection port, then the injection port can be closed to prevent ink leakage, but the positional relation between the plug member and injection port may shift during rotation, causing insufficient closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide structure (guide groove on the plug member engaging with guide protrusion on the retaining member) as an intermediary mechanism to control and stabilize the positional relation between the plug member and injection port during rotation, preventing positional shift while maintaining closure reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the engagement interface by providing a guide groove with specific width and depth dimensions on the plug member, which engages with corresponding guide protrusions to constrain positional deviation during the rotation motion
2Ease of operation
If the plug member is made to rotate freely for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positional stability deteriorates causing potential ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic engagement system where the plug member can rotate freely around the injection port while the guide groove and guide protrusion structure dynamically maintains proper alignment, allowing easy operation without compromising closure reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary that enables free rotation while simultaneously constraining positional deviation, allowing the plug member to rotate easily for operation while maintaining stable positional relation for reliable closing
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid container and an operating member. The liquid container is configured to introduce liquid from a liquid introducing portion to an inside. The operating member is configured to rotate around a rotation shaft in a first direction from a first position for covering the liquid introducing portion to move to a second position for exposing the liquid introducing portion, and rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the second position to move to the first position. The operating member includes a plug member and a covering portion. The plug member is retained to the operating member by a retaining member and configured to plug the liquid introducing portion at the first position. The covering portion is configured to cover the plug member in a direction intersecting with the first direction.