Liquid Container Coupling Lever for Reduced Attachment Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharging apparatus requires a higher pressing force to attach and detach the liquid container due to the reliance on an eject spring, increasing the force needed for attachment and detachment processes.
Innovation Solution
A supply unit with a coupling portion having elasticity, an urging member for uncoupling, and an engagement lever that disengages and presses the liquid container, reducing the required force by allowing easier detachment and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pressing force of the eject spring is increased to remove the ink receiving tube from the tube insertion path and push out the liquid container, then the liquid container can be detached, but the force required for attaching the liquid container is also increased
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection function is segmented into two independent components: the engagement lever that releases the locking engagement, and the urging member that provides ejection force. This segmentation allows the attachment force to be reduced since the user only needs to operate the engagement lever rather than overcome the full ejection force
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement lever performs the preliminary action of releasing the locking engagement before the urging member applies the ejection force. By pre-releasing the lock, the system reduces the force needed for the complete detachment operation
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
The solution reduces the force needed for coupling and uncoupling the liquid container, making the process more user-friendly and efficient by utilizing the engagement lever to release the adhesion and move the support member, thus lowering the overall force required.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling portion (31) made of an elastic material
Implementation Method 2
an urging member that urges the liquid container in an uncoupling direction
Data Source
AI summary
A supply unit in which a liquid container including a coupling portion being detachably mounted includes: a liquid introduction unit coupled to the coupling portion of the liquid container; an urging member that urges the liquid container in an uncoupling direction which is a direction opposite to a coupling direction, the coupling direction being a direction in which the liquid container is coupled to the liquid introduction unit; and an engagement lever having an engaging portion that engages with the liquid container when the liquid container is coupled to the liquid introduction unit, the engagement lever includes an operating portion operated by a user and a pressing portion configured to press the liquid container and is configured to release the engagement of the engaging portion with the liquid container when the operating portion is operated and to press the liquid container in the uncoupling direction by the pressing portion.