Liquid Container Dual Storage Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid container systems for ink cartridges do not effectively manage the amount of ink when the orientation of the container is reversed, leading to inaccuracies in ink level measurement.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design with a first and second storage device, each capable of electrically coupling to a holder-side terminal, ensures accurate ink level monitoring regardless of the container's orientation, with data stored in both devices to maintain ink consumption records.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single storage device is used in the liquid container, then the structure is simplified, but accurate ink level monitoring cannot be maintained when the container orientation is reversed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing storage devices at specific symmetric positions relative to the liquid supply opening's central axis. The first storage device is positioned at one location while the second storage device is positioned symmetrically opposite, allowing each location to have a specialized function for maintaining measurement accuracy regardless of container orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes asymmetry in the positional relationship between the storage devices and the liquid supply opening. By arranging the storage devices at asymmetric positions that are symmetric with respect to the central axis, the system ensures that at least one storage device maintains an appropriate spatial relationship with the opening regardless of whether the container is in its normal or reversed orientation, thereby preserving measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid container is made reversible for mounting, then ease of operation is improved, but reliable ink level measurement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by positioning storage devices at locations that are symmetric with respect to the central axis of the liquid supply opening. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that when the container is mounted in either normal or reversed orientation, at least one storage device maintains a reliable spatial relationship with the opening, enabling consistent and accurate ink level measurements regardless of mounting direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inversion by designing the container system to function correctly in both normal and reversed orientations. By placing storage devices at positions symmetric about the central axis, the system inverts its operational configuration when reversed mounted, yet maintains the same measurement reliability through the symmetric positioning of at least one active storage device relative to the liquid supply opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container has: a liquid storage section that stores a liquid; a surrounding wall that envelops the liquid storage section; a liquid supply opening formed in the surrounding wall, the liquid supply opening enabling the liquid to be supplied from the liquid storage section to the liquid introducing section; a first storage device that can be electrically coupled to the holder-side terminal through a first contact section; and a second storage device that can be electrically couple to the holder-side terminal through a second contact section. Even when the liquid container is rotated by 180 degrees around the central axis of the liquid supply opening and is mounted in the holder, either of the first storage device and second storage device is coupled to the holder-side terminal. Information about the amount of the liquid is stored in both the first storage device and the second storage device.