Printer Liquid Supply Connector Cover Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid supply devices for printers, such as those with bag-in-box type ink containers, are prone to ink leakage when extra force is applied to the connector, leading to potential defects in ink dot quality due to air being supplied to the printing heads.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply device with a mounting base, a tube for supplying ink, a detachable connector with a grip portion, and a rotating cover that moves between a position covering and not covering the grip portion, which supports the connector when detached and regulates contact to prevent leakage, along with a detector to stop ink supply and switch between ink sources when the cover reaches a specific position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector is exposed and detachable for easy replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of leakage when extra force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is positioned in advance to cover and protect the connector before any potential misuse occurs. This preliminary protective action prevents extra force from being applied to the connector, thereby maintaining connection stability while still allowing easy detachment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as a protective barrier that cushions the connector from potential damage caused by extra force. By having this protective element in place beforehand, the system prevents reliability issues before they can occur, while preserving the ease of operation when the cover is intentionally moved.
2Reliability
If the cover continuously protects the connector, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing the connector for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically switch between protecting the connector and allowing access to it. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by providing protection when needed while enabling easy access when the connector needs to be replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover serves as an intermediary element between the connector and the external environment. It mediates between the need for protection and the need for accessibility, allowing the system to maintain reliability while enabling ease of operation when required.
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring of connector status is required, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to potential human error and slower operation
Solution Approach 1:
The detector provides automatic feedback about the cover's position and connector status to the control system. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual monitoring, preventing human error and enabling faster operation, thereby improving productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring through the detector that automatically tracks connector status and triggers appropriate control actions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for human intervention in monitoring, improving productivity while keeping the overall system complexity acceptable.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply device for use in a printer is provided, which includes a mounting base on which a storing body filled with liquid is mountable, a tube capable of supplying the liquid from the storing body to the printer, a connector coupled to the tube and configured to be detached from the storing body, and moreover provided with a grip portion, and a cover configured to move to a first position for covering the grip portion and a second position for not covering the grip portion, in a state in which the connector is attached to the storing body mounted on the mounting base.