Liquid Cartridge Labyrinth Venting for Ink Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink cartridges face issues with ink leakage due to elevated ink levels and increased load during attachment, particularly when transitioning from a sealed state to an open atmospheric state, and existing valve mechanisms complicate this process.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a liquid cartridge with a labyrinth path and valve mechanism, featuring a movable valve body and lever system that transitions from a closed to open state without increasing the load on the cartridge during attachment, using an air communication passage with a labyrinth path and a partitioning wall to manage atmospheric pressure changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the ink storage chamber is open to atmosphere during attachment process, then pressure equalization is achieved, but ink leakage increases due to elevated ink level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure stabilityVSAvoidink leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air communication passage is divided into multiple sections: a first air communication passage for pressure equalization and a second air communication passage (labyrinth path) that opens to atmosphere only after attachment. This segmentation allows pressure stabilization without triggering ink leakage during the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first air communication passage establishes pressure communication between the ink storage chamber and atmosphere before the second passage opens. This preliminary pressure equalization prevents ink level elevation and leakage when the main air communication opening later opens during attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a valve body is moved against leaf spring urging force during attachment, then air communication is opened, but load on cartridge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment easeVSAvoidattachment load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is pre-positioned in the open state during manufacturing, with the leaf spring already compressed. This eliminates the need to overcome spring force during attachment, reducing the load on the cartridge while maintaining the ability to close the valve when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using spring force to open the valve during attachment (which would increase load), the design inverts the approach: the valve is manufactured in the open position and remains open, with the spring force available only to close the valve if required by the printing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Quantity of substance

If excessive ink is replenished or cartridge transferred to highland, then ink level elevates, but ink leakage occurs through air communication passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink quantityVSAvoidink leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air communication system is segmented into a first passage that remains closed during normal operation and a second labyrinth path that provides controlled atmospheric communication. This prevents ink leakage even when ink levels are elevated due to overfilling or altitude changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The labyrinth path acts as an intermediary between the ink storage chamber and atmosphere, providing a controlled communication path that prevents direct ink leakage while still allowing pressure equalization when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces ink leakage by managing pressure changes and minimizes attachment load, ensuring reliable operation and efficient ink transfer.

Implementation Method 1

The air communication passage includes a labyrinth path. The labyrinth path has one end in communication with the second communication hole and another end in communication with the communication opening.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLabyrinth path:

Implementation Method 2

The air communication passage includes a partitioning wall that separates the air passage from the liquid storage chamber.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation:

Data Source

PatentUS12533888B2Liquid cartridge capable of reducing leakage of liquid from liquid storage chamber

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge casing having a liquid storage chamber; a first wall; a second wall; and an air communication passage. The first wall is positioned upward relative to the liquid storage chamber. The second wall is positioned upward relative to the first wall. The air communication passage has a first communication hole in communication with the liquid storage chamber and a communication opening open to an atmosphere. The air communication passage includes: an air chamber defined by the first wall and the second wall and in communication with the liquid storage chamber through the first communication hole; a second communication hole formed in the second wall; and a labyrinth path. The labyrinth path is positioned upward relative to the air chamber, and has one end in communication with the second communication hole and another end in communication with the communication opening.