Liquid Supply Unit Outer Wall Geometry for Carriage Connection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid jetting devices face issues with securing a sufficient frictional force between the outer peripheral wall and the sealing member, leading to unstable connections between the liquid supply and introduction parts, particularly during carriage movement.
Innovation Solution
The design enhances the frictional force by modifying the outer peripheral wall geometry, including protrusions and contact areas, and adjusting the dimensions of the carriage and liquid supply unit components to ensure proper engagement and alignment, thereby stabilizing the connection between the liquid supply and introduction parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer peripheral wall is designed with conventional geometry, then the device structure is simple, but the frictional force between the outer peripheral wall and sealing member is insufficient, causing unstable connection during carriage movement
Solution Approach 1:
The outer peripheral wall is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional geometry, creating different surface characteristics at different locations. Specifically, the wall has a first cross-section near the liquid supply part and a second cross-section away from it, where at least one cross-section features a curved surface with a specific radius of curvature. This local variation in geometry increases the contact area and frictional force between the outer peripheral wall and sealing member at critical locations, thereby improving connection stability without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The outer peripheral wall incorporates curved surfaces with specific radii of curvature (first radius R1 and second radius R2) at different cross-sections. These curved geometries provide better contact compatibility with the sealing member, increasing the frictional force and preventing relative displacement during carriage movement. The curved surfaces replace conventional flat or simple geometric shapes, creating optimal contact conditions for maintaining reliable liquid supply connection
2Reliability
If the outer peripheral wall area is increased to enhance frictional force, then the connection stability improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the outer peripheral wall area throughout the entire structure, the invention applies increased surface area and curved geometry only at specific cross-sections where the wall contacts the sealing member. The first and second cross-sections have optimized curved surfaces with specific radii, while other portions of the structure maintain compact dimensions. This localized approach increases frictional force and connection stability without proportionally increasing the overall device volume
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
This configuration ensures a stable and secure connection between the liquid supply and introduction parts, preventing shifting and ensuring reliable ink supply during carriage movement, while also allowing for a more compact device design.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional force generated between an outer peripheral wall and a sealing member enables to suppress displacement of connection between a liquid supply part and a liquid introduction part
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid supply unit includes a first wall part to a seventh wall part. The first wall part includes a liquid supply part and an outer peripheral wall surrounding the liquid supply part and protruding in a direction from the second wall part toward the first wall part so as to come into contact with a sealing member of a carriage. The liquid supply part has a filter for supplying liquid to a liquid introduction part upon coming into contact with the liquid introduction part. A distance between the third wall part and the fourth wall part is larger than a distance between the fifth wall part and the sixth wall part. In a plan view in a direction from the first wall part toward the second wall part, a length of the outer peripheral wall in a first direction from the third wall part toward the fourth wall part is larger than a length in a second direction from the fifth wall part toward the sixth wall part. In a state of the liquid supply unit mounted on the carriage, the first direction is set along a moving direction of the carriage.