Printer Tank Alignment Gap and Holding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printer systems with multiple ink tanks, misalignment issues arise when tanks are installed, leading to potential ink leakage and film damage due to contact between adjacent tanks, especially when films are attached to both surfaces and aligned without gaps.
Innovation Solution
A supply apparatus design featuring a tank with a liquid storage chamber, an inlet, and a liquid flow path, where a holding member and coupling member are used to align and support the tanks, maintaining a gap between them to prevent film contact and ensure accurate positioning with respect to the printer casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a film is attached to both surfaces of the tank and tanks are aligned without gaps, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the films may contact and damage during transportation or dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a gap between adjacent tanks before any damage can occur. This gap serves as a preventive measure against film contact during transportation or dropping, while the holding member ensures tanks remain properly aligned during normal operation. The gap is specifically designed to prevent film contact while maintaining alignment precision during use.
2Manufacturing precision
If tanks are aligned without gaps between them, then misalignment is reduced to one tank tolerance, but films of adjacent tanks may contact and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing a protective gap between tanks with films on both surfaces. This gap prevents harmful film contact during transportation or dropping, while the holding member maintains alignment precision during normal printer operation, thus preventing both misalignment and film damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different spatial relationships for tanks based on their film configuration. Tanks with films on both surfaces are positioned with gaps between them, while other tanks may be aligned without gaps. The holding member selectively positions each tank according to its specific film attachment pattern, optimizing both alignment and protection locally.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tank and coupling section are not positioned accurately, then ease of assembly is improved, but ink leaks from the gap between them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the positioning section, which automatically guides and positions the tank relative to the coupling section during assembly. The positioning section includes guide structures that ensure accurate alignment without requiring complex external positioning tools or procedures, thus maintaining ease of assembly while preventing ink leakage through proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning section acts as an intermediary between the tank and coupling section, providing a controlled interface that ensures accurate positioning. This intermediary structure includes positioning protrusions and recesses that guide the tank into proper alignment with the coupling section, preventing gaps that would cause ink leakage while simplifying the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A supply apparatus includes: a tank in which a liquid supply section is formed, the liquid supply section having a liquid storage chamber, an inlet for supplying liquid to the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid flow path, the liquid storage chamber being demarcated by first surfaces facing in a first direction, a second surface joining the first surfaces, and a third surface separated from the second surface in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a holding member holding a part of the tank from one side in the second direction; a coupling member having a coupling section coupled to the liquid supply section of the tank from another side in the second direction to allow flow of the liquid; and a casing supporting at least one of the holding member and the coupling member.