Rotatable Ink Cartridge Attachment with Curved Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink concentration in inkjet printing cartridges becomes non-uniform, requiring effective stirring to maintain ink quality and printing performance.
Innovation Solution
An ink supplying device with a rotatable attachment unit and flexible external tube that maintains a curved state, allowing for the circulation and stirring of ink within the cartridge without applying tension or bending, ensuring continuous ink flow and preventing flow impediment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the attachment unit is made rotatable to enable stirring, then ink mixing effectiveness is improved, but the external tube may experience tension or bending that impedes ink flow
Solution Approach 1:
The external tube is configured in a curved state between the connecting portion and the supported portion, allowing the attachment unit to rotate without applying tension or bending to the tube. The curved configuration provides spatial clearance and flexibility for rotational movement while maintaining ink flow integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The central axis and connecting portion are disposed at different positions in the horizontal direction, creating spatial separation that enables rotational stirring motion without compromising the stability or flow function of the external tube connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the external tube is made flexible to accommodate rotation, then rotational freedom is improved, but tube positioning stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The external tube maintains a curved state that provides both flexibility for rotation and stability for positioning. The curved configuration allows the tube to accommodate rotational movement of the attachment unit while the supported portion fixed to the base portion ensures stable positioning during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supported portion acts as an intermediary between the flexible external tube and the base portion, providing a stable anchor point that allows the tube to remain flexible enough for rotation while maintaining sufficient positioning stability during ink circulation.
3Reliability
If the external tube is disposed in a curved state to prevent tension, then ink flow is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external tube is disposed in a curved state at a position corresponding to the central axis, which prevents tension and bending during rotation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture. The curved configuration is integrated into the overall compact design without adding significant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved external tube configuration serves multiple functions: it accommodates rotational movement, prevents tension and bending, maintains ink flow smoothness, and contributes to the compact overall structure. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional components.
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
Enables effective stirring of the ink within the cartridge, maintaining uniform ink concentration and ensuring high-quality image formation by preventing ink flow obstruction and allowing for easy replacement and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an external tube that is connected to the internal flow path of the attachment unit and circulates the ink
Implementation Method 2
the attachment unit is supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable in a direction around a predetermined central axis
Data Source
AI summary
An ink supplying device includes: an attachment unit to which a cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to an inkjet head of a printing apparatus is attached and in which an internal flow path is formed for the ink stored in the cartridge to flow; an external tube that is connected to the internal flow path of the attachment unit and circulates the ink; and a base portion that supports the attachment unit and a part of the external tube. The attachment unit is supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable in a direction around a predetermined central axis. The external tube is disposed in a curved state from a connecting portion connected to the internal flow path to a supported portion supported by the base portion and is provided such that the curved state changes in accordance with the rotation of the attachment unit.