Liquid Cartridge Visibility via Segmented Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink cartridges with light transmissive materials for visual inspection of ink levels are hindered by components like circuit boards, outflow openings, and ribs, which obstruct clear visibility of the ink residue, and require improved visibility regardless of attachment posture.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a liquid cartridge with a liquid storage chamber and a supply portion featuring a liquid supply hole extending perpendicular to the gravitational direction, allowing for enhanced visibility through walls made of light transmissive materials, and an accessed member for external access, ensuring clear visualization of the ink level regardless of the cartridge's posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the cartridge casing is made of light transmissive material to enable visual inspection of ink level, then visibility of ink residue is improved, but components such as circuit boards, outflow openings, and ribs obstruct clear visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge casing is divided into two distinct parts: a light transmissive outer wall for visual inspection and an internal light blocking structure that segments the viewing area. This segmentation allows the outer wall to remain transparent while the internal structure blocks light to eliminate obstructions from internal components, resolving the contradiction between visibility and component obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
A light blocking plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the internal components. This plate selectively blocks light paths that would reveal obstructing components while allowing light to pass through areas that display the ink level, thereby mediating between the need for transparency and the need to hide internal structures.
2Ease of operation
If visual recognition of ink is implemented through light transmissive walls, then ink level can be monitored, but recognition accuracy varies with attachment posture of the cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking structure extends in the depth dimension of the cartridge, creating a three-dimensional light blocking arrangement that addresses visibility from multiple viewing angles. By adding this depth dimension to the light blocking design, the system achieves posture independence while maintaining ease of ink level monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The light blocking plate is strategically positioned at specific locations where internal components obstruct the view, creating localized light blocking zones. This local quality approach allows light to pass through areas needed for ink level monitoring while blocking specific problematic areas, enabling the system to adapt to different attachment postures.
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 improves the visibility of the ink level within the cartridge, enabling accurate determination of residual ink regardless of the attachment posture, facilitating better monitoring and replacement timing.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall is formed of a material permitting the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to be visually recognized from the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge casing having a liquid storage chamber defined by a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall; and a liquid supply portion; a top wall; and an accessed member. The liquid supply portion has a liquid supply hole extending from the liquid storage chamber to the outside in a frontward direction. The front, rear, first side, and second side walls are formed of a material permitting the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to be visually recognized from the outside. Each of the front, rear, first side, and second side walls includes a portion forming an outer wall of the cartridge casing exposed to the outside of the cartridge casing. The accessed member is disposed upward relative to the liquid storage chamber and accessed from the outside.