Liquid Storage Unit Gusset Bend Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid storage units face damage to the gusset portion due to repeated bending and potential contact with the inner wall of the case, which is not effectively addressed without using a dedicated outer casing unit.

Innovation Solution

The liquid storage unit incorporates a stopper unit that suppresses the bend at the gusset portion by coming into contact with another part, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage without requiring a dedicated product.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated outer casing unit is used to protect the liquid storage unit, then damage to the gusset portion is suppressed, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage suppression to gusset portionVSAvoidneed for dedicated outer casing unit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper unit is extracted from the outer casing unit and integrated directly into the liquid storage unit structure. This allows the gusset portion protection function to be built-in, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated outer casing unit while maintaining damage suppression capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper unit is merged with the liquid storage unit by forming it as an integrated structure from the same flexible material. The stopper unit becomes part of the liquid storage unit's lateral face, combining the storage function with the protection function in a single component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the gusset portion is pressed against the pressing unit of the outer casing unit, then damage to the gusset portion is suppressed, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage suppression to gusset portionVSAvoidpressing unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper unit performs the protection function automatically through its own structural design. When the liquid storage unit is compressed, the stopper unit's protruding shape naturally contacts the inner wall of the outer casing unit, creating a self-regulating mechanism that suppresses gusset portion bending without requiring an active pressing unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using an outer casing unit to press against the gusset portion from the outside, the invention inverts the approach by having the stopper unit extend from the liquid storage unit to contact the outer casing unit's inner wall, reversing the direction of the protective force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12319066B2Liquid storage unit and liquid ejection apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 CANON KK

AI summary

An object is to provide a liquid storage unit capable of suppressing damage to a gusset portion. The liquid storage unit has a liquid storage portion internally storing liquid, a gusset portion formed along the liquid storage portion and at which a lateral face unit of the liquid storage portion is folded toward the inside of the liquid storage portion, and a stopper unit configured to suppress a bend likely to occur at the gusset portion by coming into contact with another part.