Print Liquid Supply Sub-Assembly With Angled Fluidic Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pliable reservoirs in printing devices are difficult to handle and align properly with ejection devices due to their flimsy nature, leading to challenges in establishing a fluid-tight path and ensuring proper functionality.
Innovation Solution
A print liquid supply sub-assembly with a rigid container and a spout secured in a predetermined location, featuring angled fluidic channels and check valves to maintain alignment and prevent backflow, ensuring a stable fluid path between the reservoir and ejection device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pliable reservoir is used to hold print liquid, then the reservoir is simple in manufacture and low cost, but it is difficult to handle and align properly with ejection devices
Solution Approach 1:
The pliable reservoir is nested within a rigid container, combining the manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the pliable reservoir with the handling advantages of a rigid structure. The rigid container provides structural support for easy handling while the pliable reservoir maintains its functional benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a pliable reservoir for liquid containment, a rigid container for structural support and handling, and a spout assembly for fluid delivery. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified system.
2Ease of manufacture
If a pliable reservoir is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but establishing a fluid-tight path becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid spout assembly acts as an intermediary between the pliable reservoir and the ejection device, providing a stable, rigid fluid pathway. The spout is secured in a predetermined location within the rigid container, ensuring proper alignment and fluid-tight connections while the pliable reservoir maintains its cost-effective manufacturing advantages.
3Reliability
If check valves are added to prevent backflow, then fluid control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are designed to automatically prevent backflow without requiring external control mechanisms. The valves self-regulate fluid flow based on pressure differentials, providing reliable fluid control while minimizing the need for additional complex control systems or manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy handling and replacement of liquid supplies while maintaining a stable fluid connection, preventing leaks and ensuring effective liquid delivery to the ejection device.
Implementation Method 1
The first fluidic channel may include a first check valve ball and spring to prevent a liquid from flowing in a downstream direction past the first check valve ball
Implementation Method 2
a first check valve ball and spring to prevent a liquid from flowing in a downstream direction past the first check valve ball
Data Source
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AI summary
A print liquid supply sub-assembly, the print liquid supply sub-assembly to connect to a printer to provide a print liquid to the printer may include a print liquid output to connect to a print liquid input of the printer; a first fluidic channel upstream of the print liquid output comprising a first fluidic valve to prevent the print liquid from entering a supply container upstream of the first fluidic valve; and a second fluidic channel upstream of the print liquid output fluidically coupled to the first fluidic channel comprising a second fluidic valve to selectively prevent the fluid from passing out of the supply container downstream from the second fluidic valve.