Liquid Ejection Apparatus Rocking Body Retention via Shaft Swaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses with detection units for liquid remaining amounts are costly due to the need for additional parts to prevent the rocking body from dropping, which increases the complexity and expense of the system.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a liquid container featuring a rocking body that rotates around a support shaft, where the support shaft is swaged to form a stop portion to prevent the rocking body from dropping, allowing for low-cost manufacturing and reliable detection of liquid levels without disturbing the rocking motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap member is used to prevent the rocking body from dropping, then the reliability of the detection system is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support shaft is designed to integrate multiple functions: it provides rotational support for the rocking body and simultaneously prevents dropping through the swaged portion. This merging of support and retention functions into a single component eliminates the need for separate cap members or retention mechanisms, thereby reducing part count while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The support shaft performs self-retention through the swaged portion that prevents the rocking body from dropping. The structure is designed to automatically secure the rocking body during assembly without requiring additional external components, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity
2Reliability
If additional parts are added to prevent the rocking body from dropping, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support shaft combines support and retention functions in one component, eliminating the need for separate retention parts and reducing manufacturing costs associated with producing and assembling multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The swaged portion changes the physical parameters of the support shaft by creating a localized expansion or deformation that provides retention functionality. This parameter change allows the single component to perform multiple functions without adding parts, thereby reducing manufacturing cost
3Device complexity
If the support shaft is swaged to form a stop portion, then the number of parts is reduced, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swaged portion is formed on the support shaft during its manufacturing process before final assembly. This preliminary action integrates the retention feature into the component production itself, so that when assembly occurs, the support shaft is already prepared to both support and retain the rocking body without requiring additional assembly steps
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 solution reduces costs by minimizing the number of parts while effectively detecting liquid levels, ensuring continuous operation of the liquid ejection apparatus without increasing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the support shaft is swaged to form a stop portion to prevent the rocking body from dropping
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a liquid ejection apparatus with low costs, a liquid container, and a manufacturing method thereof. To this end, a rocking body is assembled to the liquid container to suppress the drop thereof by melting and swaging of a support shaft.