Liquid Supply Member Alignment via Cylindrical Insertion and Engaging Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink cartridges with complex structures are prone to positional misalignment and movement due to shocks or vibrations, leading to potential ink leakage from the liquid supply opening.

Innovation Solution

A liquid containing body with a cylindrical flow path section in the supply member that is insertable into a through hole of the casing member, featuring an engaging section to regulate movement and a fastening section to secure the supply member, ensuring positional alignment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a complex structure with multiple members is used to support the liquid containing vessel, then positional alignment can be achieved, but the structure becomes prone to movement under shock or vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional alignmentVSAvoidstability under shock

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple functional elements: the through hole for insertion, the engaging section for lateral constraint, and the fastening section for axial constraint. Each segment performs a specific function to collectively achieve stable positional alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical flow path section is inserted into the through hole, with the engaging section nested within the through hole's lateral walls. The fastening section is then engaged to lock the inserted component in place, creating a nested arrangement that provides multi-directional constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a simple structure is used to support the supply member, then device complexity is reduced, but positional alignment and movement regulation become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidpositional alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The casing member features localized structural elements (through hole, engaging section, fastening section) at specific positions to perform specific functions. This allows the overall structure to remain simple while achieving precise positional alignment through locally optimized features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The engaging section and fastening section have asymmetric geometries that match corresponding features on the cylindrical flow path section. This asymmetric design ensures unique positional alignment and prevents rotational or lateral movement while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Manufacturing precision

If the liquid containing vessel is positionally aligned using multiple members, then alignment is achieved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional alignmentVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The through hole, engaging section, and fastening section are merged into a single integrated structure within the casing member. This consolidation achieves precise positional alignment while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The casing member's through hole structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides insertion, provides lateral constraint through the engaging section, and enables axial locking via the fastening section. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the supply member is secured with a fastening section, then movement is regulated, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement regulationVSAvoidassembly simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening section is designed to engage automatically or with minimal action after the cylindrical flow path section is inserted into the through hole. This preliminary positioning followed by simple fastening reduces assembly complexity while ensuring reliable movement regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex fastening mechanism that requires multiple steps, the design inverts the approach by having the fastening section engage passively or with a single motion, making the securing process simpler while maintaining reliable movement constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9227415B2Liquid containing body

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid containing body includes a liquid containing vessel, and a casing member. The liquid containing vessel contains a liquid, and includes a supply member with a liquid supply opening that supplies the liquid to a liquid consumption apparatus. The casing member supports at least the supply member. The supply member has a cylindrical flow path section that defines the liquid supply opening. The casing member has a through hole forming section with a through hole. The cylindrical flow path section is insertable in the through hole. The casing member further has an engaging section that engages with the supply member to regulate movement of the cylindrical flow path section in an opposite direction to an insertion direction while the cylindrical flow path section is rotated with the insertion direction as an axial line in a state where the cylindrical flow path section is inserted in the through hole.