Refill Unit Presser Mechanism for Ink Cartridge Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink leakage occurs during the replacement of ink cartridges in ink-jet recording devices due to oblique insertion of the ink cartridge, which is caused by steps or irregularities in the connection of the two tray-shaped body members of the refill unit's case, leading to improper alignment and contact with the door.
Innovation Solution
The refill unit is designed with a case and door mechanism that ensures the ink cartridge is pushed straight into the housing chamber using a presser holding member with ridges that evenly contact the front face of the cartridge, preventing oblique insertion and leakage by ensuring proper alignment and engagement with the ink supply pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the two body members are welded to form the ink cartridge body, then the ink cartridge can be assembled from separate injection-molded parts, but steps or irregularities are formed at the welded portions causing oblique insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The ink cartridge body is divided into two separate tray-shaped body members that are welded together. This segmentation allows each member to be injection-molded separately with draft angles for ease of manufacture, while the welding joins them to form the complete cartridge body.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is designed with a localized pressing portion that concentrates the closing force on a specific area of the ink cartridge body. This localized quality ensures that the pressing force is applied uniformly at the correct position, preventing oblique insertion even when the welded portions have steps or irregularities.
2Reliability
If the door is designed to abut against the front face of the ink cartridge to push it into the case, then the ink cartridge can be securely housed, but steps at the welded portions cause linear contact and oblique pushing force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion of the door acts as an intermediary element between the door closing action and the ink cartridge body. It transfers the closing force in a controlled manner, ensuring that the force is applied uniformly to the front face of the cartridge rather than allowing direct contact that would follow the irregular welded surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The door incorporates a localized pressing portion with a specific shape and position that concentrates the closing force on the correct area of the ink cartridge body. This localized design ensures uniform force application and prevents the door from following the steps or irregularities at the welded portions.
3Ease of operation
If the ink cartridge is obliquely pushed into the case, then the door can close, but the ink supply needle is obliquely inserted causing ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion of the door is designed with specific local characteristics (shape, position, size) that ensure the closing force is applied at the correct location on the ink cartridge body. This localized quality control prevents oblique insertion and ensures that the ink supply needle enters the cartridge perpendicularly, maintaining sealing integrity and preventing leakage.
Data Source
AI summary
A refill unit that includes an ink cartridge formed by jointing a pair of body members, a case, a door for closing an opening of the case, a pushing unit disposed on the door and pushing the ink cartridge into the case, and a leg portion disposed on the pushing unit for contacting evenly with the ink cartridge.