Print Liquid Supply Interface With Guide Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print liquid supply systems face challenges in efficiently connecting and disconnecting print liquid supplies of varying volumes to printer systems, particularly in high-speed or large-format printing, where compatibility across different media types, formats, and liquid types is essential.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a print liquid supply apparatus with an interface structure that facilitates easy mounting and unmounting across a wide range of liquid volumes and printer platforms. This interface structure includes a liquid throughput channel and guide features that align with receiving stations, allowing for secure and efficient fluid connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If print liquid supply systems are designed for high-speed or large-format printing with varying liquid volumes, then compatibility across different media types and printer platforms is improved, but the complexity of connecting and disconnecting supplies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface structure is designed with universal features that enable compatibility across multiple printer platforms and media types. The receiving station incorporates a standardized interface that can accommodate different liquid supply cartridges, allowing a single receiving station design to serve multiple functions across various printer models and printing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply system is divided into separate functional modules: the liquid supply cartridge, the interface structure, and the receiving station. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and replaced, simplifying the connection and disconnection process while maintaining compatibility across different configurations.
2Reliability
If an interface structure with guide features is implemented to align with receiving stations, then connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide features on the interface structure automatically align the liquid supply cartridge with the receiving station during the insertion process. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates the need for complex external alignment devices or manual positioning, improving connection reliability while keeping the overall system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide features act as intermediary elements between the liquid supply cartridge and the receiving station, facilitating proper alignment and connection. These guide features serve as a mediating structure that simplifies the interaction between the two main components while ensuring reliable connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A print liquid supply interface structure is provided, to fluidically connect a fluid supply container to a receiving station, comprising a liquid channel having at least one liquid channel wall, the liquid channel including a liquid interface, and at least one key pen next and parallel to the needle receiving portion of the liquid channel, protruding from a base over more than 10 millimeters. In another example a key pen structure is provided. In yet another example an interface structure for receiving a separate key pen is provided.