Inkjet Printer Holder Lock Arm Mechanism for Secure Cartridge Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printers face issues with ink cartridge retention, leading to air intrusion and image quality deterioration due to the lack of a secure mechanism for attaching the ink cartridge, causing ink supply disruptions and inaccurate ink ejection during recording operations.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a holder that includes a lock arm body and a spring elastic member to securely attach and retain the ink cartridge, preventing air intrusion and ensuring stable ink supply by using a cartridge coupling section and air introduction system, which guides the cartridge into the correct position and prevents erroneous insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ink cartridge is not securely retained on the holder, then the printer structure remains simple, but air intrusion occurs causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm body is designed as a movable component that can rotate between a locked position (retaining the ink cartridge) and an unlocked position (allowing removal). This dynamic mechanism provides secure retention during operation while allowing easy cartridge replacement, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elastic body automatically urges the lock arm body to engage with the ink cartridge, providing self-locking functionality. When the ink cartridge is inserted, the spring mechanism automatically secures it in place without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving reliable retention
2Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is added to the holder, then ink cartridge stability improves, but the holder structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is extracted as a separate lock arm body component that can be independently added to the holder structure. This modular approach allows the secure retention mechanism to be implemented without redesigning the entire holder, minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity while achieving improved ink supply stability
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement lug on the lock arm body serves as an intermediary element that connects the holder to the ink cartridge. This simple geometric feature provides the securing function without requiring complex mechanisms, resolving the contradiction by introducing a minimal structural element that achieves reliable retention
3Ease of operation
If the ink cartridge is allowed to detach or incline, then the holder design remains simple, but ink supply is disrupted causing air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm body provides a dynamic locking mechanism that secures the ink cartridge during normal operation but allows intentional removal when needed. The movable nature of the lock arm enables easy cartridge replacement by simply moving the lock arm to the unlocked position, maintaining ease of operation while achieving reliable attachment security
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism is segmented into distinct components: the lock arm body, the spring elastic body, and the engagement lugs. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, providing secure retention while maintaining simplicity and ease of maintenance, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
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
The solution effectively secures the ink cartridge, preventing air intrusion and ensuring consistent ink supply, thereby maintaining image quality and facilitating easy cartridge replacement, while allowing for a compact and efficient printer design.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member formed by a spring elastic body to be engageable with the lock arm body, wherein the urging member urges the engagement lug of the lock arm body to engage the engagement lug with the ink cartridge attached to the holder
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes an ink cartridge having an ink storage section and an ink outlet port; a holder to which the ink cartridge is detachably attached; a recording section to which the ink is supplied through an ink tube coupled to the holder; a cartridge coupling section being on a bottom of the holder and communicating with the ink outlet port to draw the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is attached to the holder; a lock arm body provided on the bottom of the holder, the lock arm body having an engagement lug retaining unremovably the ink cartridge; and a urging member formed by a spring elastic body to be engagable with the lock arm body. The forcing member urges the engagement lug of the lock arm body to engage the engagement lug with the ink cartridge attached to the holder.