Liquid Container Plug Leveraging Gravity for Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face issues with plug members that require strong force to remove, leading to liquid leakage and scattering due to sudden friction loss.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a plug member with a projecting portion below the gravity center of the covering portion, allowing for easy removal without scattering, utilizing the principle of leverage to reduce the required force and prevent liquid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug member is press-fitted to the inlet to prevent leakage, then the liquid leakage is prevented, but a strong force is required to remove the plug member and the liquid scatters due to sudden friction loss
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is divided into a body portion and a projecting portion. The body portion is press-fitted into the inlet for sealing, while the projecting portion extends outward to serve as a removal handle. This segmentation allows the sealing function and removal function to be separated, enabling easy removal without requiring strong force that would cause liquid scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the user and the plug member. Instead of directly pulling the plug member from the inlet (which requires overcoming friction), the user interacts with the projecting portion, which provides mechanical advantage and reduces the force needed for removal.
2Ease of operation
If the plug member is removed vigorously due to friction loss, then the plug member can be detached, but the liquid in the liquid container scatters to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting portion is designed to engage with the user's finger before removal begins. By providing a preliminary contact point below the gravity center, the design prepares the system for controlled removal, allowing the user to gradually apply force rather than suddenly pulling, thus preventing liquid scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the projecting portion is specifically designed to be below the gravity center of the covering portion. This parameter change in spatial arrangement creates a mechanical advantage that reduces the force required for removal and allows for controlled detachment, preventing the vigorous removal that causes liquid scattering.
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
Enables the liquid container to be opened and closed without scattering the liquid, ensuring efficient and controlled liquid supply to the ejection head.
Implementation Method 1
in an attitude of the liquid container in a case where the plug member is to be removed from the supply port, the projecting portion projects from below a gravity center of the covering portion in a gravity direction seen from a direction orthogonal to the opening surface in the state of the plug member
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a liquid container including a plug member which prevents leakage of a liquid from the liquid container and can be opened without scattering the liquid and a liquid ejection apparatus including the liquid container. For that purpose, a projecting portion in the plug member is provided below a center part of the plug member in a gravity direction in an attitude at the time of use of the liquid ejection apparatus.