Liquid Container Rib Structure for Refill Status Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink tanks for printers lack effective methods to confirm the presence of an injection needle hole for refilling and distinguish between tanks that should and should not be refilled, leading to potential oversight during visual inspection or image processing, and difficulty in identifying tanks with specific ink properties.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a housing with distinct rib projections and memory chips to differentiate between refillable and non-refillable types, along with a differential pressure valve and air release mechanism to prevent ink leakage and ensure proper attachment to the printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an injection needle hole is made small for ink refilling, then the hole can be closed after refilling, but the hole may be overlooked during visual inspection or image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by printing different patterns (hatched patterns, solid patterns, or no pattern) on the housing surface corresponding to the injection hole location. This allows the injection hole status to be easily detected visually without making the hole itself large, resolving the contradiction between reliable closure and easy detection.
2Extent of automation
If image processing is performed to confirm the existence of an injection needle hole, then automated detection is achieved, but the injection needle hole may still be overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-contrast visual patterns (hatched or solid patterns) printed on the housing that are easily distinguishable by image processing systems. This enhances the detectability of refillable containers through automated image processing while maintaining high detection accuracy, as the patterns provide clear visual cues that are not easily missed.
3Ease of operation
If visual inspection is performed by human beings to detect injection needle hole, then simple inspection method is used, but the injection needle hole may be overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs distinct visual patterns (hatched patterns for refillable, solid patterns or no pattern for non-refillable) that are immediately recognizable to human inspectors. This maintains the simplicity of visual inspection while dramatically improving detection accuracy, allowing inspectors to quickly identify refillable containers without missing the injection hole location.
4Device complexity
If no external marking is provided on the housing, then the housing structure is simple, but refillable and non-refillable containers cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses printed patterns on the housing surface (hatched, solid, or no pattern) to encode identification information about whether the container is refillable. This approach maintains structural simplicity while effectively communicating the refillability status, preventing the loss of critical identification information.
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 design allows accurate identification of refillable and non-refillable ink tanks, reduces ink leakage, and ensures reliable attachment and communication with the printer, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing false identification.
Implementation Method 1
differential pressure valve
Implementation Method 2
air release mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of liquid containers configured to be attached to the same liquid consuming apparatus in an exchangeable manner is provided. The liquid containers each include a housing that surrounds at least a part of a liquid containing chamber containing a liquid in the liquid container and is exposed to the outside of the liquid container. A first type liquid container of the plurality of liquid containers includes a rib that projects from an outer surface of the housing. A second type liquid container of the plurality of liquid containers does not include the rib.