Rotating Liquid Container Plug with Radial Covering for Secure Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid discharge apparatuses face issues with the plug member shifting during rotation, leading to incomplete closure of the injection port, which can result in ink leakage or contamination.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus design featuring a plug member retained by a retaining member, which rotates around a shaft to cover and expose the injection port, with a covering portion intersecting the rotation direction to ensure secure closure, absorbing positional shifts and preventing ink adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the plug member is retained to a highly rigid retaining member that is rotated to open or close the injection port, then the injection port can be opened or closed, but the positional relation between the plug member and the injection port may be shifted by the rotation, causing insufficient closing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening/closing operationVSAvoidclosure reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a covering portion that extends in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction (radial direction) to cover the plug member. This adds a dimensional constraint that prevents positional shifts during rotation, ensuring the plug member remains properly aligned with the injection port while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The covering portion acts as a constraint structure that limits the movement of the plug member in the radial direction during rotation. By providing this covering structure, the system ensures that even though the retaining member rotates, the plug member cannot shift positionally, thus maintaining reliable closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the plug member is retained to the operating member by a retaining member, then the plug member can be moved to cover the injection port, but positional shifts during rotation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The covering portion extends in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction (radial direction) to cover the plug member. This adds a dimensional constraint that prevents positional shifts during rotation, ensuring the plug member remains properly aligned with the injection port while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12384164B2Liquid discharge apparatus having liquid container and operating member

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 CANON KK

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid container and an operating member. The liquid container is configured to introduce liquid from a liquid introducing portion to an inside. The operating member is configured to rotate around a rotation shaft in a first direction from a first position for covering the liquid introducing portion to move to a second position for exposing the liquid introducing portion, and rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the second position to move to the first position. The operating member includes a plug member and a covering portion. The plug member is retained to the operating member by a retaining member and configured to plug the liquid introducing portion at the first position. The covering portion is configured to cover the plug member in a direction intersecting with the first direction.