Mounting Unit Recess Segmentation for Liquid Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face challenges in distinguishing between liquid leakage and liquid dripping during the mounting or dismounting of liquid containers, as both result in liquid falling onto the receiving section, leading to confusion in detection.

Innovation Solution

A mounting unit with a liquid introduction portion and a receiving portion having distinct recess areas, where the liquid introduction portion extends opposite to the mounting direction, allowing liquid leakage to fall towards a first recess and liquid dripping to fall towards a second recess, enabling differentiation based on reception location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single receiving section is used to receive all liquid, then the structure is simple, but it is impossible to distinguish between liquid leakage and liquid dripping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidreceiving section structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving section is divided into multiple recess portions (first recess portion and second recess portion) with different positions and functions. The first recess portion receives liquid falling from the liquid introduction portion during normal operation, while the second recess portion receives liquid dripping during mounting/dismounting. This segmentation allows the detection unit to distinguish between leakage and dripping based on which recess portion the liquid falls into, thereby improving detection precision without requiring a completely new detection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid introduction portion is designed to extend in a direction opposite to the mounting direction, creating a spatial dimension that separates the liquid flow paths. During mounting/dismounting, liquid drips fall vertically into the second recess portion, while during normal operation, liquid leaks flow along the extended liquid introduction portion into the first recess portion. This dimensional separation in space allows the detection unit to differentiate between the two conditions based on liquid position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the liquid introduction portion extends in the mounting direction, then liquid can be introduced efficiently, but liquid dripping during mounting/dismounting cannot be distinguished from liquid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid introduction efficiencyVSAvoidliquid condition detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the liquid introduction portion in the mounting direction (conventional approach), the patent inverts the direction to extend opposite to the mounting direction. This inversion creates a spatial separation where liquid introduced during normal operation flows into the first recess portion, while liquid dripping during mounting/dismounting falls into the second recess portion. The inverted direction resolves the detection ambiguity while maintaining liquid introduction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the receiving section are assigned different functions through local quality differentiation. The first recess portion is positioned to receive liquid from the extended liquid introduction portion during normal operation, while the second recess portion is positioned to receive liquid during mounting/dismounting operations. This local functional differentiation allows the system to maintain efficient liquid introduction while enabling accurate detection of liquid conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If a detection unit is added to distinguish liquid conditions, then detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid condition distinction accuracyVSAvoidoverall system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving section with its multiple recess portions serves a dual function: it both receives/redirects liquid to appropriate locations and enables detection differentiation. The structural design of the receiving section itself creates the conditions for detection without requiring additional complex detection mechanisms. The liquid flow paths are passively directed to different recess portions based on the operational state, allowing the existing detection unit to distinguish conditions with minimal additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11472189B2Mounting unit and liquid ejection apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A mounting unit includes a mounting portion to which a liquid container that accommodates a liquid is mounted, in which the mounting portion has a liquid introduction portion that is inserted into the liquid container that is mounted to the mounting portion, and a first receiving portion that is provided below the liquid introduction portion, the first receiving portion has a first recess portion and a second recess portion, the liquid introduction portion extends in a direction opposite to a mounting direction that is a direction in which the liquid container moves when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting portion, and the second recess portion is provided at a position closer to a tip of the liquid introduction portion than the first recess portion is in the mounting direction.