Liquid Storage Container Plug Member Offset Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid storage containers with plug members for preventing leakage face issues with liquid scatter during removal of the plug, requiring strong force and resulting in instantaneous disengagement and liquid spillage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage container design featuring a plug member with a main body, cover part, support part, and convex part arrangement that allows for easy removal without strong force, utilizing leverage to prevent instantaneous disengagement and liquid scatter, by positioning the convex and support parts relative to the centroid of the plug member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug member is press-fitted to the injection port to prevent leakage, then liquid leakage prevention is improved, but strong force is required for removal and liquid scatter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is divided into a main body and a separate removal tool, allowing the removal operation to be performed without requiring strong pulling force on the entire plug member. The removal tool engages with the main body and applies force to gradually disengage the press-fitted portion.
Solution Approach 2:
A removal tool serves as an intermediary between the user and the plug member. This tool engages with the main body of the plug member and transmits removal force in a controlled manner, preventing instantaneous disengagement and liquid scatter while maintaining the press-fit sealing during normal operation.
2Speed
If the plug member is removed swiftly to enable quick access, then operation speed is improved, but liquid scatters to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The removal tool is designed to engage with the main body of the plug member before removal begins. This preliminary engagement allows the removal process to start in a controlled manner, gradually disengaging the press-fitted portion and preventing liquid scatter even during quick removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool acts as an intermediary that controls the disengagement process. It transmits removal force through the main body, ensuring gradual separation from the injection port and preventing instantaneous liquid release, thereby eliminating liquid scatter during rapid removal.
3Ease of manufacture
If the plug member structure is simplified for easy manufacturing, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the plug member cannot prevent leakage or control removal
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is segmented into a main body with a press-fitted portion and a separate removal tool. This segmentation allows the main body to be manufactured with simple press-fit geometry for ease of production, while the removal tool provides the necessary control for reliable leakage prevention and controlled removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool serves as an intermediary device that enables reliable leakage prevention and controlled removal without complicating the manufacturing of the plug member itself. The simple press-fitted main body can be manufactured easily, while the removal tool provides the additional functionality needed for reliable operation.
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
Enables the plug member to be removed without causing liquid scatter, ensuring secure sealing and easy opening of the storage container, facilitating safe refilling and operation of liquid ejection apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
the convex part is arranged on one side of the cover part and the support part is arranged on the other side of the cover part relative to a straight line intersecting orthogonally with a straight line passing a centroid of the cover part and connecting the centroid and the support part
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a liquid storage container equipped with a plug member that can prevent leakage of a liquid from the liquid storage container and can be opened without causing scatter of the liquid, and a liquid ejection apparatus equipped with the liquid storage container. For the purpose, at least one of a connection part of the convex part with the cover part and an apical part of the convex part most apart from the connection part is provided offset from the centroid of the cover part, seen from a direction orthogonal to an opening surface of a supply port in a state that the plug member is mounted on a supply port of the liquid storage container.