Liquid Supply Apparatus with Movable Container Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The residual amount of liquid in containers, such as ink bags, cannot be visually observed due to their opaque packaging, making it difficult for users to determine when the liquid is low and requiring them to replace the container.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supplying apparatus with a support table, a detachable liquid flow path, and a movable section that pushes up the container as the liquid level decreases, allowing visual recognition of the remaining liquid without the need for additional notification mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the container is made opaque for packaging, then the container is protected and has a neat appearance, but the residual amount of liquid cannot be visually observed
Solution Approach 1:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary element to reflect the interior of the container onto its exterior surface. This allows the residual liquid level to be visually observed from the outside without making the container transparent, thus maintaining both packaging protection and visual detectability
Solution Approach 2:
The observation dimension is changed from direct line-of-sight through the container wall to a reflected view from the container's exterior surface. The mirror creates a virtual image of the liquid level that can be viewed from outside the opaque container
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a notification mechanism is added to indicate residual liquid level, then the residual amount can be detected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure itself provides the notification function through the mirror mechanism. The mirror is integrated into the container body, and the liquid level naturally reflects on the mirror surface without requiring external sensors, power sources, or electronic notification systems
Solution Approach 2:
The observation function is merged with the container structure by integrating the mirror directly into the container body. This eliminates the need for separate notification devices and combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure
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
Facilitates easy visual recognition of decreasing liquid levels, reduces waste by ensuring efficient use of the remaining liquid, and simplifies the system configuration by eliminating the need for additional notification mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a force of the movable section pushing up the container is smaller than a weight of the container at full capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supplying apparatus includes a support table on which a container for storing liquid can be placed, a liquid flow path detachably connected to the container, a movable section configured to push up the container placed on the support table. A force of the movable section pushing up the container is smaller than a weight of the container at full capacity. As the residual amount of liquid decreases, the container placed on the support table is pushed up by the movable section and displaced while remaining connected to the liquid flow path.