Sealed Liquid Container With Recessed Leak Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid supply systems for printing devices, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in convenience due to issues like liquid leakage during filling, which can lead to smudging and require complex component management.

Innovation Solution

A liquid supply device with a sealed liquid container system that includes a recess for collecting leaks, a guide to direct spills away from the printing unit, and integrated seals to prevent loss of components, allowing for easier filling and reduced mess.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the liquid container is filled with liquid by the user, then the printing device can be used, but liquid may leak from the liquid inlet and smear the inside of the external member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of fillingVSAvoidliquid leakage and smudging

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A seal member is introduced as an intermediary component between the liquid inlet and the external member. This seal member includes a recess that acts as a collection area for leaked liquid, preventing it from smearing the external member while still allowing easy filling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the seal member includes a recess for collecting liquid, then liquid leakage is contained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid leakage containmentVSAvoidseal member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member integrates multiple functions into a single component: sealing the gap between the liquid inlet and external member, collecting leaked liquid in its recess, and guiding liquid flow. This merging reduces overall device complexity despite adding leakage containment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the external member covers the liquid container, then liquid leakage is prevented from spreading, but the liquid inlet becomes less accessible for filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid spill containmentVSAvoidliquid inlet accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The external member is designed with localized transparency or openness at the liquid inlet area, allowing easy access for filling while maintaining coverage elsewhere to contain spills. The seal member's recess is locally positioned to collect leaks without interfering with the filling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If multiple seal members are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of seal members

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is designed as a multi-functional component that performs sealing, liquid collection, and flow guidance simultaneously. This universal design achieves reliable sealing without requiring multiple separate components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10105961B2Liquid supply device including liquid container and external member, and printing device including same

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid supply device includes a liquid container that includes a liquid containing chamber, which is capable of containing liquid, and a liquid inlet, which allows the liquid containing chamber to be filled with liquid. An external member covers at least a portion of the liquid container excluding a portion where the liquid inlet is located from an outer side. A seal member seals a gap between the external member and the liquid inlet. The liquid supply device is configured to allow the liquid to be supplied from the liquid container to a printing unit that performs printing on a medium using the liquid.