Radial-Compressed Septum for Fluid Interconnect Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid interconnect members with axially-compressed septums often experience leakage of air and fluid when a needle engages the septum, leading to inefficiencies in fluid supply systems like inkjet printers.
Innovation Solution
A fluid interconnect system where the septum is maintained in a radial-compressed state within a septum receiving chamber, using a septum cap that is ultrasonically welded to an energy director, preventing leakage by ensuring a secure engagement with the needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an axially-compressed septum is used in a fluid interconnect member, then the septum can be installed using a simple cap structure, but leakage of air and fluid occurs when the needle engages the septum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional axial compression approach by applying radial compression to the septum instead. The septum is compressed radially inward by the tapered surface of the receptacle, creating a seal that prevents leakage while maintaining ease of installation. This inversion of the compression direction resolves the contradiction between simple installation and leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compression parameter from axial to radial direction. By modifying the compression orientation and using a tapered receptacle surface, the septum achieves optimal sealing contact with the needle in the radial direction, preventing leakage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Reliability
If a radial-compressed septum is used in a fluid interconnect member, then leakage is prevented when the needle engages the septum, but the device complexity increases due to the tapered receptacle structure
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered receptacle structure serves multiple functions: it provides radial compression to the septum for sealing, guides the needle during insertion, and maintains the septum in a compressed state. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable leakage prevention.
3Device complexity
If the septum is held in an uncompressed state, then the device structure is simpler, but fluid and air leakage occurs during needle engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The septum is pre-compressed radially by the tapered receptacle structure before needle insertion. This preliminary compression action ensures the septum is already in a sealing state, preventing leakage during needle engagement without requiring complex active compression mechanisms during 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 radial-compressed septum effectively prevents leakage, ensuring reliable and efficient fluid transfer from a fluid supply to an image forming apparatus, such as an inkjet printer, by maintaining a secure seal with the needle.
Implementation Method 1
a septum receiving chamber formed within the housing member and configured to hold the septum in the radial-compressed state
Implementation Method 2
using a septum cap that is ultrasonically welded to an energy director
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a fluid interconnect system includes inserting a septum into a septum receiving chamber of the fluid interconnect system, placing the septum in a radial-compressed state during the inserting the septum into the septum receiving chamber, and maintaining the septum in the radial-compressed state in the septum receiving chamber.