Liquid Cartridge Circuit Board Positioning and Error Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cartridges face issues with positioning accuracy and resin fraction defects due to the rubbing of bosses against connector terminals during insertion, leading to potential contact failures and reduced reliability in managing liquid residual quantities.
Innovation Solution
The liquid cartridge design features a circuit board with a circular positioning hole at the front end and an oval error absorption hole at the base end, both with corresponding bosses, which reduces the rubbing distance and prevents resin fractions, ensuring accurate connection terminal positioning and reliable contact with connector terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the circuit board is fixed to the container main body by thermally caulking the bosses, then the circuit board is securely mounted, but resin fractions are generated when the bosses rub against the connector terminals during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting holes into two distinct types: positioning holes (without bosses) and error absorption holes (with bosses). This segmentation allows the bosses to be positioned away from the connector terminals, preventing resin fraction generation while maintaining secure mounting through thermal caulking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different local qualities to different areas of the circuit board: positioning holes provide precise location without thermal caulking near connectors, while error absorption holes provide flexible mounting with thermal caulking at a safe distance from connectors. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between secure mounting and preventing resin fractions.
2Strength
If the circuit board is fixed using bosses that extend beyond the mounting holes, then the circuit board is securely attached, but the rubbing distance increases causing more resin fractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment function into two parts: positioning holes that provide location accuracy without bosses, and error absorption holes that provide secure attachment with bosses positioned away from connectors. This reduces the rubbing distance and minimizes resin fraction generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The error absorption holes act as intermediaries that absorb positioning errors and reduce the rubbing distance between bosses and connector terminals. By placing these holes at specific locations, the patent mediates between the need for secure attachment and the need to minimize harmful rubbing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the circuit board allows positioning errors, then manufacturing is easier, but the connection terminals misalign with the connector terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hole function into positioning holes that ensure precise terminal alignment and error absorption holes that accommodate manufacturing variations. This segmentation allows the system to tolerate positioning errors while maintaining connection terminal alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The error absorption holes serve as beforehand cushioning for positioning errors. By providing these holes in advance at strategic locations, the patent cushions against manufacturing variations and prevents misalignment of connection terminals with connector terminals.
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 enhances the positioning accuracy of connection terminals, prevents resin fractions, and ensures reliable connection with connector terminals, allowing for effective management of liquid residual quantities in the cartridge.
Implementation Method 1
the circuit board is fixed to a container main body by thermally caulking the bosses
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cartridge mountable on a cartridge mounting portion of a liquid consuming apparatus, the liquid cartridge includes: a circuit board that is attached to an outer surface of the liquid cartridge in an insertion direction of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion; and a connection terminal that is formed in the circuit board to be contactable with a connector provided in the cartridge mounting portion, wherein the circuit board has a positioning hole that is formed at a front end side in the insertion direction into the cartridge mounting portion, and an error absorption hole that is formed at a base end side in the insertion direction and has a larger opening area than that of the positioning hole, and the positioning hole is engaged with a positioning boss that is provided in the liquid cartridge, the error absorption hole is engaged with an error absorption boss that is provided in the liquid cartridge, and the circuit board is fixed to a container main body by thermally caulking the bosses.