Liquid Storage Container Lock Mechanism for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid storage containers for recording apparatuses face challenges in preventing liquid leakage during container replacement, regardless of the amount of remaining liquid, and allow for repeated attachment and detachment without leakage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage container with a flexible film storage bag, an opening and closing body, a handle to move the opening and closing body, and a lock mechanism that keeps the opening and closing body closed unless the container is attached to the recording apparatus, ensuring liquid is not leaked during replacement or detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lid is used to close the liquid communication portion when the remaining liquid amount is small, then liquid leakage during container replacement is reduced, but liquid leakage cannot be prevented when the remaining liquid amount is not small and the container is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing body is positioned to close the supply port in advance before the container is detached from the recording apparatus. This preliminary closing action ensures that regardless of the remaining liquid amount, the supply port is already sealed when removal occurs, preventing leakage during transport or storage of the removed container
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism dynamically changes its locking state based on the attachment status. When the container is attached, the lock mechanism allows the opening and closing body to be opened for liquid supply. When detached, the lock mechanism automatically locks the opening and closing body in the closed position, adapting the sealing behavior to the operational context
2Reliability
If claws are used to restrict movement of the upper and lower plates when the remaining liquid amount becomes small, then liquid leakage is limited, but repeated attachment and detachment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism changes its functional parameter (locked vs. unlocked state) based on the attachment condition. During attachment/detachment operations, the lock mechanism is in an unlocked state allowing free movement of the opening and closing body. After detachment, it transitions to a locked state to prevent leakage, thus accommodating both operational phases without compromising either leakage prevention or ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid storage container attachable to and detachable from a recording apparatus includes: a liquid storage bag that includes a supply port for supplying liquid to a port to be supplied of the recording apparatus and is configured to store liquid; an opening and closing body movable between an open position that allows liquid to be supplied from the supply port to the port to be supplied and a closed position that closes the supply port; a handle configured to move the opening and closing body between the open position and the closed position; and a lock mechanism configured to lock the opening and closing body in the closed position so as to permit the opening and closing body to move to the open position only when the liquid storage container is in an attached state in which the liquid storage container is attached to the recording apparatus.