Rotary Flow Path Coupling for Leak-Resistant Inkjet Ink Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently connecting and securing tubular components to maintain stable ink circulation, leading to potential leakage and manufacturing inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A flow path connection mechanism featuring rotatable coupling members with convexities and concavo-convex structures, utilizing laser welding and tapered fitting portions to enhance connectivity and minimize clearance, thereby ensuring secure ink circulation and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coupling members are connected using adhesives or simple mechanical fastening, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the connection stability and leakage prevention are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive bonding and simple mechanical fastening with laser welding technology. The laser welding process creates strong, reliable connections between the connection member and coupling members without requiring adhesives, thereby improving connection stability and leakage prevention while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through automated welding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs tapered cylindrical shapes for the connection member and coupling members, creating conical mating surfaces that enhance connection stability. The tapered geometry provides self-aligning features and distributes stress more evenly, preventing leakage while maintaining straightforward manufacturing through standard turning and grinding operations
2Reliability
If coupling members are connected with tight tolerances to minimize clearance, then ink circulation stability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered cylindrical design of the connection member and coupling members creates a conical interface that naturally minimizes clearance through its geometry. The taper angle is optimized to provide sufficient interference fit for stable ink circulation while allowing for standard manufacturing tolerances, thereby achieving reliable ink circulation without requiring excessively tight tolerance controls
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the taper angle and dimensional parameters of the connection member and coupling members to achieve the desired balance between clearance minimization and manufacturing feasibility. By carefully selecting the taper angle and nominal dimensions, the design ensures stable ink circulation while remaining compatible with conventional machining capabilities
3Reliability
If multiple coupling members are connected in sequence, then the flow path connectivity is improved, but the accumulation of clearance and misalignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered cylindrical design provides self-aligning features that automatically compensate for minor misalignments between sequentially connected coupling members. The conical interface geometry guides the components into proper coaxial alignment during assembly, preventing the accumulation of misalignment errors and maintaining stable ink circulation throughout the entire flow path
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered design incorporates built-in alignment compensation that anticipates and corrects for potential misalignments before they can accumulate. The geometry of the tapered interface ensures that even if components are not perfectly aligned during assembly, they self-correct to achieve proper coaxiality, thereby preventing the propagation of alignment errors through the sequence of connected coupling members
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 mechanism provides stable ink circulation with minimized leakage and improved manufacturing efficiency by enhancing coaxiality and reducing stress points, while eliminating the need for adhesives.
Implementation Method 1
The connection member is rotated in one direction relative to the first coupling member, so that engagement is established between the first coupling member and the connection member in the axis direction
Implementation Method 2
utilizing laser welding and tapered fitting portions to enhance connectivity and minimize clearance
Data Source
AI summary
A flow path connection mechanism includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a connection member. The connection member is mounted to the second coupling member so as to be rotatable about a center axis. The first coupling member is inserted into the connection member, and the connection member is rotated relative to the first coupling member, so that engagement is established between the first coupling member and the connection member to bring about a connected state where the first coupling member is connected to the second coupling member. The connection member includes a convexity protruding in an axis direction from an end surface of the connection member opposite to a connection side with the first coupling member.