Offset Injection Ports in Multi-Chamber Ink Tank
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-color tanks for liquid consuming devices require a specific inner diameter for injection ports, leading to increased widthwise dimensions of the tank and the device it is part of.
Innovation Solution
A tank design with offset communication parts relative to the storage chambers, allowing for a shorter center-to-center distance between communication parts and reducing the widthwise dimension of the cover and the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner diameter of each injection port is increased to facilitate ink injection and cap mounting operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the widthwise dimension of the cover and the liquid consuming device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the injection ports from the top wall to the side walls of the storage chambers. Specifically, the first injection port is formed in the first side wall and the second injection port is formed in the second side wall. This spatial relocation allows the ports to be arranged in a more compact widthwise configuration while maintaining adequate inner diameters for operation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compact dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If three injection ports are provided in the top wall spaced at intervals, then the ease of operation for each storage chamber is improved, but the widthwise dimension of the tank and device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the injection ports from the top wall to the side walls of the storage chambers. The first injection port is positioned in the first side wall and the second injection port is positioned in the second side wall, allowing for compact widthwise arrangement while maintaining operational accessibility. This dimensional repositioning enables each storage chamber to have its own dedicated injection port without requiring wide spacing in the widthwise direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of injection ports relative to the storage chambers. The first injection port is offset from the center of the first storage chamber in the widthwise direction, and the second injection port is offset from the center of the second storage chamber. This asymmetric arrangement allows for more efficient use of space and reduces the overall widthwise dimension while maintaining ease of operation for each chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A tank includes a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber, a first communication part to which a first liquid bottle is connectable, and a second communication part to which a second liquid bottle is connectable. The first storage chamber is defined by a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface in a first direction. The second storage chamber is defined by a third surface and a fourth surface facing the third surface in the first direction. The first and second storage chambers are juxtaposed in the first direction. In the first direction, a center of the first communication part in the first direction is offset from a center of the first storage chamber in the first direction. In the first direction, a center of the second communication part in the first direction is offset from a center of the second storage chamber in the first direction.