Print Liquid Supply Interface Structure for Reservoir Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current print liquid supply systems face challenges in efficiently connecting and disconnecting print liquid reservoirs of varying volumes to printer systems, often requiring complex and cumbersome processes, especially for large volume supplies.
Innovation Solution
The design of a print liquid supply apparatus with an interface structure that facilitates easy mounting and unmounting across a wide range of liquid volumes, featuring a collapsible reservoir, guide features, and secure elements, allowing for user-friendly installation and removal regardless of internal liquid volume, and adaptable to both 2D and 3D printing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex connection processes are used for large volume reservoirs, then secure connection is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is designed to automatically secure the reservoir to the printer system through self-aligning guide features and snap-fit secure elements. The user simply needs to insert the reservoir, and the system automatically completes the secure connection without requiring manual alignment or complex fastening steps, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide features act as intermediaries between the reservoir and the receiving structure, facilitating automatic alignment during insertion. These guide features mediate the connection process by ensuring proper positioning before the secure elements engage, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures while ensuring secure connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized interface structures are used across different liquid volumes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface structure is designed with universal characteristics that allow it to work with reservoirs of varying volumes. The same basic interface structure, guide features, and secure elements are used across different reservoir sizes, achieving adaptability without increasing device complexity. The design accommodates volume variations through scalable reservoir dimensions rather than through complex interface variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A print liquid supply apparatus comprising a container to hold print liquid and an interface structure to fluidically connect the container to a receiving station wherein the interface structure projects outwards with respect to the container and comprises a liquid interface to fluidically connect to a corresponding fluidic interface of the receiving station and a liquid channel fluidically connecting the container and the liquid interface.