Silicone-EPDM Ink Tank Cap Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insertability and removability of ink tank caps are degraded when ink adheres to the ink inlet port, leading to increased sliding resistance due to high viscosity of dried ink, which affects the cap's performance.
Innovation Solution
The ink tank cap is designed with a contacting portion made of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber containing silicone, which maintains excellent insertability and removability even when ink adheres to the port, and provides improved ink removability after drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap is made of conventional rubber material, then it provides basic sealing function, but the sliding resistance increases when ink adheres and dries, degrading insertability and removability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter of the contacting portion by incorporating silicone into the EPDM rubber matrix. This compositional parameter change modifies the surface properties and friction characteristics of the material, enabling it to maintain low sliding resistance even when ink adheres and dries, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and resistance to harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining EPDM rubber with silicone in the contacting portion. This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of both materials: EPDM provides elasticity and sealing, while silicone reduces friction and prevents ink adhesion. The composite material effectively addresses the sliding resistance issue while maintaining the sealing function
2Quantity of substance
If ink adheres to the ink inlet port and dries, then the viscosity of the dried ink increases, but this increases the sliding resistance in the cap, degrading insertability and removability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of dried ink (high viscosity leading to increased friction) into a beneficial outcome by using silicone-containing EPDM that specifically resists ink adhesion. The material properties cause ink to remain less adhesive even when dried, transforming the potential harm of ink presence into an opportunity to demonstrate superior material performance that maintains ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the friction parameter between the cap and ink inlet port by changing the material composition to include silicone. This parameter change ensures that even when ink is present and dried, the coefficient of friction remains low, maintaining ease of insertion and removal despite the presence of high-viscosity dried ink
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 use of silicone-containing EPDM in the contacting portion ensures that the ink tank cap maintains its functionality despite ink adherence, with enhanced sliding performance and removability, effectively addressing the issue of degraded cap performance due to ink viscosity.
Implementation Method 1
the ink tank cap is formed of an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber containing silicone... suppressing any degradation in the insertability/removability
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an ink tank cap configured to open and close an ink inlet port of an ink tank, the ink tank cap including a contacting portion contacting with the ink inlet port, wherein the contacting portion of the ink tank cap is formed of an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber containing silicone.