Liquid Cartridge Pivoting Lock Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cartridges face challenges in smooth pivoting and easy release due to engagement with latching features, leading to potential contact hindrances and reduced capacity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid cartridge design that pivots about a center, allowing for smooth transition between attitudes with a lock surface configuration that reduces contact with the consuming apparatus, enhancing ease of release and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid cartridge uses latching features to engage with the consuming apparatus, then the mounting reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in release
Solution Approach 1:
The lock surface is designed to move dynamically during the pivoting operation. When the cartridge pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude, the lock surface moves from contacting the lock portion to being positioned further in the downward direction than the lock portion, enabling smooth transition between locked and released states
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism utilizes pivoting motion (rotational dimension) rather than purely linear movement. The cartridge pivots about a pivot center which is a center of the liquid supply opening, allowing the lock surface to clear the lock portion through angular displacement, making release easier
2Quantity of substance
If the liquid cartridge is designed with sufficient capacity, then the volume of liquid stored is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to contact hindrances during pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The lower face is designed with differentiated local qualities: a first portion and a second portion positioned at different heights. The second portion is positioned further in the upward direction than the first portion when in the first attitude, creating clearances that prevent contact hindrances during pivoting while maintaining overall cartridge capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses vertical positioning differences (upward direction positioning) of portions on the lower face to prevent contact during pivoting. This three-dimensional clearance design allows smooth rotation without reducing the liquid chamber volume
3Reliability
If the liquid cartridge uses springs for urging force, then the mounting reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to resistance during insertion and release
Solution Approach 1:
The spring urging force is dynamically overcome through the pivoting motion. The lock surface geometry is designed to convert the pivoting motion into effective force application that overcomes the spring resistance, allowing smooth insertion and mounting despite the presence of urging springs
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
Enables smooth insertion, locking, and release of the liquid cartridge with reduced contact hindrances, maintaining capacity and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
a seal member positioned at the liquid supply portion and having a liquid supply opening formed therethrough, wherein the seal member is configured to contact an outer surface of the liquid supply tube while being elastically deformed when the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a lower face, and the lower face includes a first portion and a second portion which are positioned further in the second direction than the pivot center. The second portion is positioned further in the second direction than the first portion and is positioned further in the upward direction than the first portion.