Movable Liquid Supply Part for Printer Ink Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid supply devices for printers face challenges in easily connecting and disconnecting the liquid outlet and introduction parts due to their design, leading to difficulties in attachment and detachment, and this issue is common across various liquid supply devices for consumption devices.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device design featuring a liquid container with a support system that positions the liquid supply part above the liquid containing part, allowing it to move and connect with the liquid introduction part at an angle, along with a positioning mechanism to facilitate easy alignment and secure connection, and a flexible liquid flow tube to reduce leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the liquid outlet part is positioned at the downward side of the ink bag, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but it becomes difficult to attach and detach the liquid introduction part
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid outlet part is made movable by a support mechanism that allows it to move between a retracted position (away from the liquid containing part) and a protruding position (toward the liquid introduction part). This dynamic adjustment enables easy connection and disconnection while maintaining structural simplicity for manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid outlet part is positioned above the liquid containing part in the vertical direction, rather than at the downward side. This spatial repositioning in another dimension allows the liquid introduction part to approach from above, facilitating easier attachment and detachment while keeping the overall structure simple.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid supply part is positioned above the liquid containing part, then connection with liquid introduction part becomes easier, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply part is supported by a movable support mechanism that allows it to move between retracted and protruding positions. This dynamic capability enables easy connection without requiring a permanently complex structure, as the complexity is only activated when needed for connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism automatically positions the liquid supply part through its own structural design, eliminating the need for additional complex control systems or manual intervention. The mechanism self-adjusts to facilitate connection, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the liquid supply part is made movable, then connection accuracy improves, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A support mechanism acts as an intermediary between the liquid supply part and the main body, providing the necessary movement capability. This intermediary structure enables precise positioning and connection accuracy while isolating the complexity to a dedicated component rather than the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism incorporates self-positioning features that automatically align the liquid supply part with the liquid introduction part, achieving high connection accuracy without requiring complex external control systems or multiple adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device includes a liquid container having a liquid containing part and a liquid supply part facing a first direction intersecting a gravity direction when supplying liquid to a liquid consumption device, a first support part supporting the liquid supply part such that the liquid supply part is positioned further to an upper side in the gravity direction than the liquid containing part and the liquid supply part moves in the first direction and a direction opposite the first direction, a liquid introduction part attached to the liquid consumption device and configured to connect with the liquid supply part by the liquid supply part moving in the first direction by the first support part, and a positioning part arranged at the liquid introduction part and configured to position the liquid supply part in a direction intersecting the first direction when connecting with the liquid supply part.