Ink Tank Slider Mechanism for Spring-Free, Leak-Tight Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink supply systems in printing devices require users to manually overcome spring forces to connect and detach ink containers, leading to user inconvenience and potential detachment issues.
Innovation Solution
A tank and liquid container system with a rotatable slider and nozzle configuration that allows for seamless attachment and detachment of the container, utilizing a sealing member to ensure liquid tight sealing and fluid communication without manual force overcoming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional supply valves and air releasing valves with springs are provided in the container, then the supply opening and air communication passage can be closed to prevent leakage, but the user must push the container against the tank or keep it pressed against the tank to overcome spring urging force during connection
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using springs to close the valves (conventional approach), the patent uses a valve structure where the closing action is achieved through the valve body itself moving to a closing position, eliminating the need for spring urging force during connection operations
Solution Approach 2:
The spring urging force mechanism is removed from the valve system, extracting the harmful element (spring force requiring user counter-action) while retaining the essential function of closing the supply opening and air communication passage
2Reliability
If conventional supply valves with springs are provided in the container, then the supply opening can be closed to prevent leakage, but the container is likely to bound off the tank due to spring urging force when the user attempts to remove the container
Solution Approach 1:
The valve closing mechanism is inverted from spring-driven to a structure where the valve body moves to a closing position through its own motion, eliminating the bound-off effect during detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The spring urging force is extracted from the valve system, removing the cause of the bound-off problem while maintaining the valve's ability to close and prevent leakage
3Adaptability or versatility
If the container is connected to the tank with conventional valves, then ink supply can be controlled, but the structure becomes complex with multiple components (supply valve, air releasing valve, springs)
Solution Approach 1:
The supply valve and air releasing valve functions are merged into a single integrated valve structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining ink supply control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve structure is designed to perform multiple functions (controlling ink supply and managing air communication) through a single multi-functional component, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A tank includes: a tank body defining a storage chamber; a recessed portion provided at the tank body; a slider positioned in the recessed portion; a fitting portion provided at the slider; and a sealing member. The recessed portion has an injection opening in communication with the storage chamber, and a connection opening through which a liquid container is connectable. The slider includes a nozzle extending toward the connection opening in an extending direction and having a communication opening communicable with the injection opening. The slider is movable toward and away from the connection opening in the extending direction while rotating relative to the recessed portion. The fitting portion can be fitted with the liquid container. The sealing member can provide a liquid tight sealing to a gap between the slider and the recessed portion, and allow liquid flow between the communication opening and the injection opening.