Printer Cartridge Storage Compartment with Capping Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers face issues with the storage and swapping of print cartridges, leading to costly additional packaging, time consumption, and the risk of ink drying out, which can render the print head useless.
Innovation Solution
A printer design incorporating a printer housing with a service station and an automated carriage assembly for cartridge servicing, along with a separate print cartridge storage compartment for spare cartridges, which includes a capping system to prevent ink drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cartridges are stored in separate packaging containers, then the cartridges are protected from damage, but the cost and time for swapping cartridges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the storage compartment directly into the printer housing, merging the protection function with the printer structure itself. This eliminates separate packaging containers while maintaining cartridge protection through the integrated compartment design, thereby reducing swapping time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer housing serves multiple functions: it houses the printing mechanism, provides structural support, and incorporates an integrated storage compartment for spare cartridges. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate packaging while maintaining protection, resolving the contradiction between protection and swapping efficiency.
2Reliability
If cartridges are stored in separate packaging parts, then the cartridges are protected from ink drying, but additional packaging parts are costly and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function against ink drying is merged into the integrated storage compartment within the printer housing. The compartment design incorporates sealing mechanisms that prevent ink drying without requiring separate packaging parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated storage compartment automatically provides protection against ink drying through its sealed design and positioning within the printer housing. The system serves itself by incorporating all necessary protection features within the printer structure, eliminating the need for additional packaging components.
3Ease of repair
If a service station is added for cartridge servicing, then cartridge maintenance is improved, but the printer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The service station is integrated into the existing printer housing structure, serving multiple functions including cartridge storage, maintenance, and automated carriage operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate servicing equipment, improving ease of repair while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated carriage assembly enables self-service cartridge maintenance by automatically transporting cartridges to and from the service station. The system performs servicing operations autonomously, improving ease of repair while keeping the structural additions minimal and integrated.
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
This solution reduces the need for extra packaging, minimizes the time and cost of swapping cartridges, and decreases the likelihood of ink drying issues, allowing for the reuse of cartridges after periods of non-use.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is configured to bias the capping seal against the print head of the spare print cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A printer may include a printer housing, a service station in the printer housing, an automated carriage assembly, and a print cartridge storage compartment. The service station defines an area for servicing one or more print cartridges. The automated carriage assembly is configured to carry the particular print cartridge through a printing area during a printing operation of the printer, and to carry the particular print cartridge to the service station area for servicing. The print cartridge storage compartment is defined by the printer housing and configured to store a spare print cartridge, the print cartridge storage compartment being separate from the service station and inaccessible to the carriage assembly.