Liquid Discharge Joint Retention for Drip Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing liquid discharge apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, the supply flow path is retained with the coupler of the joint detached from the liquid discharge head facing horizontally, leading to potential liquid drips that contaminate the apparatus, necessitating extra work to empty the reservoir to prevent dripping.

Innovation Solution

The liquid discharge apparatus is designed with a retainer that retains the joint detached from the liquid discharge head with the coupler facing up, and includes a mechanism to maintain the supply flow path in an orientation that prevents liquid from dripping, using a retainer to collect any drips and ensuring the joint is detached in a way that minimizes contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the supply flow path is retained with the coupler of the joint detached from the liquid discharge head facing horizontally, then the joint can be easily detached and retained, but liquid may drip from the coupler and contaminate the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of joint detachment and retentionVSAvoidliquid dripping and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is designed to hold the detached joint in an inverted orientation with the coupler facing upward instead of horizontally. This inversion prevents liquid from dripping out of the coupler by allowing any liquid to pool inside the coupler rather than flowing outward, thereby eliminating the contamination problem while maintaining easy retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the joint is detached with the coupler facing horizontally, then the structure is simple, but extra work is required to empty the reservoir to prevent liquid dripping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidtime for emptying reservoir

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the retention orientation so the coupler faces upward, the design eliminates the need for reservoir emptying operations. The inverted position naturally prevents liquid accumulation and dripping, removing the time-consuming emptying step while keeping the overall structure simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer is pre-configured with the coupler facing upward to prevent liquid dripping before any contamination can occur. This preliminary preventive design eliminates the need for subsequent emptying operations, saving time and effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12384161B2Liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head configured to discharge liquid. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a reservoir configured to store liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head. The reservoir is provided at a position lower than the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a supply flow path configured to communicate with the liquid discharge head and the reservoir. The supply flow path is provided with a joint detachable from the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a retainer configured to retain the joint detached from the liquid discharge head. The joint has a coupler to be coupled to the liquid discharge head. The retainer is configured to retain the joint with the coupler facing up.