Rotatable Cartridge Retainer for Inkjet Ejection Chip Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluidic ejection cartridges, such as those used in inkjet printing, often experience settling of solid particles during shipping and storage, rendering them unusable, and the protective tape applied for transport can be difficult to remove without damaging the ejection chip.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system that includes a rotatable cartridge retainer with offset center of mass, allowing the cartridge to pivot and maintain the ejection chip in a stable orientation, and a removable seal film with varying adhesion forces to facilitate easy and damage-free removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cartridge is stored in a fixed orientation during shipping and storage, then the solid particles may settle in a manner that makes remixing impossible, but changing the orientation frequently or adding mixing mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge retainer is designed to rotate about a pivot axis, allowing the cartridge to dynamically change orientation from an initial position to a final position where the ejection chip faces upward. This dynamic repositioning prevents settleable solids from blocking the ejection chip while avoiding complex active mixing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the cartridge's own weight and gravity to automatically rotate it into the correct orientation through the offset center of mass design. The heavier ejection chip end naturally rotates upward, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems.
2Reliability
If a protective tape is applied over the ejection chip to prevent damage and fluid leaks, then the ejection chip is protected during transport, but the tape becomes difficult to remove without damaging the ejection chip
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tape is designed with differential adhesion properties: it has strong adhesion to the retainer surface to remain secure during transport, but weak adhesion to the ejection chip to allow easy removal. This local quality variation enables both protection and easy removal without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The tape is applied in advance to protect the ejection chip during shipping and storage. The rotatable retainer mechanism is also prepared in advance, and when the user rotates the retainer, the tape automatically peels off the ejection chip at a safe angle, performing the removal action preliminarily designed into the system.
3Strength
If the protective tape has strong adhesion to ensure it stays on during transport, then the ejection chip is well protected, but the tape becomes difficult to remove and may damage the ejection chip
Solution Approach 1:
The tape exhibits different adhesion strengths to different surfaces: strong adhesion to the retainer for secure transport, but weak adhesion to the ejection chip for easy removal. This spatial variation in adhesion quality resolves the contradiction between protection strength and removal ease.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cartridge retainer is designed to rotate to maintain proper ejection chip orientation, then fluid mixture separation is reduced, but the mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer transitions from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic rotatable design about a pivot axis. This allows the cartridge to automatically orient itself with the ejection chip facing upward, preventing solid particle settlement while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset center of mass design allows the cartridge to self-orient during rotation using gravity as the driving force. The heavier ejection chip end naturally rotates upward without requiring motors, sensors, or complex control systems, keeping the mechanism simple while achieving the stability goal.
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 system significantly reduces the likelihood of fluid mixture separation and settling, ensuring cartridge usability and minimizes damage to the ejection chip during tape removal.
Implementation Method 1
A center of mass of the cartridge retainer and the fluidic ejection cartridge within the cartridge retainer are offset from the shaft. The center of mass rotates to a position below the shaft when the packaged cartridge assembly is stored with the shaft in a substantially horizontal position.
Implementation Method 2
a removable seal film with varying adhesion forces to facilitate easy and damage-free removal
Data Source
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AI summary
A packaged fluidic ejection cartridge assembly is disclosed. The storage package for a fluid ejection cartridge (10) includes a cartridge storage container (40) configured to have a shaft (56); and a cartridge retainer (50) comprising a plurality of retainer walls (52) and a retainer opening (54) configured to receive and secure the fluidic ejection cartridge (10), the cartridge retainer (50) being configured to be rotatably attached to the cartridge storage container (40) with the shaft (56) serving as a pivot axis.