Liquid Container Delivery Port Positioning for Mounting Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
As liquid containers increase in size, errors in formation and assembly lead to decreased positional accuracy between the liquid delivery and supply portions, resulting in poor mountability and increased ink leakage due to internal pressure.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design with a liquid delivery portion positioned close to the positioning means on the container body, allowing for improved positional accuracy and reduced tolerance issues, and an offset passage member that facilitates the liquid delivery portion's deviation from the center line of the connection port, minimizing length and enabling additional functions like residual amount detection or air bubble trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the liquid container size is increased to improve storage capacity, then the volume of liquid that can be stored increases, but the positional accuracy between the liquid delivery portion and liquid supply portion deteriorates due to increased tolerance errors in formation and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the liquid delivery portion vertically above the connection port rather than horizontally aligned, changing the spatial dimension of connection. This vertical offset allows the liquid delivery portion to be located at coordinates (x, y, z) where z is the vertical distance above the connection port, enabling compact horizontal arrangement while maintaining connection accuracy despite increased container size and tolerance variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a localized high-precision zone by positioning the liquid delivery portion close to the positioning means (positioning holes), where manufacturing precision is most critical for connection accuracy. The offset passage member is designed with precise dimensions to maintain this local quality of connection accuracy even when the overall container size increases and general manufacturing tolerances worsen.
2Reliability
If the liquid delivery portion is positioned close to the positioning means to improve connection accuracy, then the mountability and connection reliability improve, but the design flexibility and ability to accommodate additional functional units deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid delivery system into separate functional modules: the liquid delivery portion (for reliable connection near positioning means), the offset passage member (for liquid flow), and additional functional units (such as residual amount detection or air bubble trapping). This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently - the liquid delivery portion for connection reliability, while other modules can be arranged in the offset space for design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests additional functional units within the offset passage member structure or in the space created by the offset arrangement. For example, residual amount detection sensors or air bubble trap chambers can be integrated into the offset passage member, allowing multiple functions to coexist in a compact configuration without compromising the primary connection reliability function.
3Productivity
If the container body is vertically arranged to improve mounting density, then the number of liquid containers that can be mounted increases, but the internal pressure of the liquid pack increases leading to increased leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the liquid delivery portion from horizontal to vertical, positioning it above the connection port. This dimensional change creates a gravity-assisted pressure reduction where the liquid column height is minimized, reducing hydrostatic pressure at the delivery portion and preventing leakage even when containers are vertically stacked for high-density mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset passage member design creates a counterbalancing effect by positioning the liquid delivery portion at a vertical offset that reduces the effective weight of the liquid column acting on the connection. The passage geometry and positioning are designed to counteract the increased internal pressure from vertical stacking, preventing liquid leakage at the delivery portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes: a container body that is detachably mounted to a container mounting portion of a liquid consuming apparatus and includes a liquid containing portion storing a liquid; a connection port that is provided in the liquid containing portion and delivers the liquid; a liquid delivery portion that is provided in one surface of the container body to supply the liquid to the liquid consuming apparatus; and a plurality of positioning means into which, when the container body is mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus, a plurality of positioning members that are provided on the container mounting portion at positions facing the one surface are fitted, thereby positioning the container body, wherein the liquid delivery portion is provided close to any one of the plurality of positioning means.