Offset Electrical Interface for Dust-Free Ink Cartridge Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electrical connection between ink cartridges and the cartridge mounting portion can become unstable due to dust accumulation, leading to issues with reading data from the semiconductor memory.

Innovation Solution

The ink cartridge is designed with an offset electrical interface configuration, where the interface is closer to the front face than the engagement surface, allowing dust to be wiped off during insertion, thereby reducing the likelihood of unstable connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrical interface is positioned at the engagement surface, then the electrical connection is established, but dust accumulates on the interface leading to unstable connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoiddust accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge mounting portion performs a dust-wiping action on the electrical interface during the insertion process before final engagement. The engagement member slides along the electrical interface, removing dust particles that would otherwise interfere with electrical contact, thereby ensuring reliable connection from the outset

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement member acts as an intermediary between the cartridge and mounting portion, serving dual functions: establishing mechanical engagement and cleaning the electrical interface through sliding contact, thereby mediating the harmful effect of dust accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the electrical interface is offset closer to the front face, then dust is wiped off during insertion, but the interface position becomes non-standard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidinterface positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical interface is intentionally positioned asymmetrically relative to the cartridge structure, offset from the engagement surface toward the front face. This asymmetric positioning enables the engagement member to effectively wipe the interface during insertion, prioritizing connection reliability over symmetric design conventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11919316B2Printing fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of printing fluid cartridge

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, at least one electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is offset from the printing supply portion with respect to a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is positioned closer to the front face than the engagement surface is, and the at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface intersect a plane which is parallel with the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.