Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9261209B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-12-06 09:04:15
Document Index: 337023247

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 10', 'arts 10', 'arts 10', 'arts 10', 'arts 10', 'arts 10', 'arts 2', 'arts 10', 'arts 10']

US9261209B2 - Fluid coupling - Google Patents
US9261209B2
US9261209B2 US14/374,897 US201214374897A US9261209B2 US 9261209 B2 US9261209 B2 US 9261209B2 US 201214374897 A US201214374897 A US 201214374897A US 9261209 B2 US9261209 B2 US 9261209B2
US14/374,897
US20140373959A1 (en
Bruce A McFadden
2012-04-18 Application filed by Hewlett Packard Development Co LP filed Critical Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
2012-04-19 Assigned to HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. reassignment HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MCFADDEN, BRUCE A., SHIBATA, ALAN, STUDER, ANTHONY D.
2014-07-26 Assigned to HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. reassignment HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MCFADDEN, BRUCE A., SHIBATA, ALAN, STUDER, ANTHONY D.
2014-12-25 Publication of US20140373959A1 publication Critical patent/US20140373959A1/en
2016-02-16 Publication of US9261209B2 publication Critical patent/US9261209B2/en
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a kit of parts 10 for assembling a fluid coupling 1 for connecting the fluid supply 2 to the fluid reservoir 3. In FIG. 3 the example kit of parts 10 is represented in a disassembled condition. The kit of parts 10 includes the fluid delivery tube 4 for connection to the fluid reservoir 3. The kit of parts 10 includes the fluid interconnect fitting 5 for connection to the fluid delivery tube 4 and the fluid supply 2. A cross section of the fluid interconnect fitting 5 is illustrated, illustrating an internal fluid channel 11 of the fluid interconnect fitting 5 that makes an angle α of between 60 to 120 degrees, in the illustrated example approximately 90 degrees. In an example (not illustrated), the internal channel 11 makes a rounded curve over 60 to 120 degrees, instead of a sharp angle as illustrated in the figure. The kit of parts includes a retainer 6 that is arranged to engage the fluid interconnect fitting 5 and the fluid supply 2, for retaining the fluid interconnect fitting 5 with respect to the fluid supply 2. For example, the retainer 6 is defined by a clip-like feature for clipping it to the fluid interconnect fitting 5 and fluid supply 2. Furthermore, the kit of parts 10 includes the seal feature 7 that is arranged to connect to the fluid interconnect fitting 5 and the fluid inlet 8 of the fluid supply 2. In a further example, the kit of parts 10 includes a set of instructions 12 for assembling the parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 together so as to establish the fluid coupling 1 and provide for a working fluid delivery system 9. In one example, the set of instructions 12 is defined by a human readable set of instructions to allow a person to assemble the kit of parts 10. In another example, the set of instructions 12 is defined by a computer readable memory including machine readable instructions. For example the kit of parts 10 includes at least the fluid delivery tube 4, the seal feature 7, the fluid interconnect fitting 5, the retainer 6 and sub-features thereof.
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate different views on another example of a fluid coupling 1 and multiple corresponding fluid supplies 2A-2D, wherein FIG. 7 illustrates an example fluid coupling 1 without supplies 2A-2D. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in an example the fluid coupling 1 includes a tube tray 20 that is mounted on top of the fluid supplies 2A-2D. For example, the supplies 2A-2D are existing supplies provided with adaptations for facilitating the fluid coupling 1. For example, the tube tray 20 is arranged to guide and bundle fluid delivery tubes 4A-4D to the fluid inlets 8A-8D of the respective fluid supplies 2A-2D. For example, the tube tray 20 is defined by a single cast, that is, an integrally molded plastic part. For example, the tube tray 20 is provided with retaining fingers 21 or the like to aid in bundling and retaining the fluid delivery tubes 4A-4D. For example, a separate bundling sleeve 69 is provided to aid in bundling the fluid delivery tubes 4A-4D. For example, the tube tray 20 is arranged to change a direction of the fluid delivery tubes 4A-4D over an angle of at least approximately 90°, for example between 90° and 180°. As illustrated, the fluid delivery tubes 4A-4D are redirected over a curve towards the fluid inlets 8A-8D. For example, the tube tray 20 includes a curved standing wall 22 arranged to aid in bending and guiding the fluid delivery tubes 4A-4D along said curve. For example, the curved standing wall 22 is also arranged to protect the fluid delivery tubes 4A-4D. In an example, the standing wall 22 curves over an angle of at least approximately 90°.
In an example, the retainer 6A-6D includes at least one wing 35D. In an example, the retainer 6A-6D includes at least one retainer notch 32D, for engaging a counterpart notch 33D of the corresponding supply 2A-2D (FIGS. 5, 6, 7). In the illustrated example, the retainer notches 32D are provided in the wings 35D. For example, the retainer notches 32D include a hole or indent for hooking or clasping the retainer 6A-6D to the counterpart notch 33D. In the illustrated example, the fluid inlet 8A-8D is defined by a fluid inlet cylinder 34D.
FIGS. 8-10 illustrate examples of multiple views onto the tube tray 20. The tube tray 20 is arranged to be mounted onto the supplies 2A-2B. For example the tube tray 20 includes at least one alignment feature 40, 41 for aligning the tube tray 20 with respect to the supplies 2A-2B. For example, the at least one alignment feature 40, 41 includes at least one side wall 40 that protrudes downwards from a bottom plane 42 of the tube tray 20. The at least one side wall 40 is arranged to engage a side wall 43 of one of the side supplies 2A, 2D. For example, the at least one alignment feature 40, 41 includes a back wall 41 that protrudes downwards from the bottom plate 42. For example, further alignment features 40, 41 include protrusions 41A, 41B included in the bottom plate 42 or one of the side or back walls 40, 41. For example, the back wall 41 includes at least one alignment rib 41A and at least one alignment notch 41B for better alignment of the tray 20 with respect to the supplies 2A-2D. The back wall 41 is arranged to engage the back surfaces 44A-44D of the fluid supplies 2A-2D. The back wall 41 and side wall 40 of the tube tray 20 can be used to align the tube tray 20 with respect to the supplies 2A-2D.
For example, the tube tray 20 includes at least one key feature 45A-45D (FIGS. 9, 10). For example, the supplies 2A-2D include at least one corresponding supply key feature 46A-46D. In the illustrated example, the tube tray key feature 45A-45D is arranged to communicate with at least one corresponding supply key feature 46A-46D on the supply 2A-2D for example to prevent that incorrect supplies 2A-2D are connected to the tube tray 20, or to prevent incorrect positioning of the tube tray 20 with respect to each of the supplies 2A-2D. In the illustrated example, the supply key features 46A-46D include indents in respective supply top surfaces. For example, the tube tray key features 45A-45D include protrusions for at least partial insertion in the respective indents. In the illustrated example, each supply 2A-2D includes equal supply key features 46A-46D.
FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart of a method of establishing a fluidic connection between a fluid supply 2A-2D and a fluid delivery tube 4A-4D. For example, the fluid delivery tube 4A-4D is connected to at least one fluid reservoir 3. For example, the method includes connecting a seal feature 7, 7A-7D to an inlet 8, 8A-8D of the fluid supply 2, 2A-2D (block 100). For example, the method includes connecting the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D to the seal feature 7, 7A-7D (block 110). For example, the method includes connecting a retainer 6, 6A-6D so that the retainer 6, 6A-6D retains the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D with respect to the seal feature 7, 7A-7D and the fluid supply 2, 2A-2D (block 120). For example, the retainer 6, 6A-6D includes a clip for clipping to the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D and the fluid inlet 8, 8A-8D. For example, the method includes fluid flowing through the fluid delivery tubes 4, 4A-4D (block 130), for example out of a connected reservoir 3. For example, the method includes fluid flowing from the fluid delivery tubes 4, 4A-4D through the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D (block 140). For example, the fluid flows through the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D, changing a fluid flow direction F between approximately 60° and approximately 120°, or approximately 90° in the inner channel 11. For example, the method includes the fluid flowing through the seal feature 7, 7A-7D and into the supply 2A-2D (block 150). In a further example, the method of FIG. 13 is described in a set of instructions 12 for allowing the method to be executed by man or machine.
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart of a further example of a method of establishing a fluidic connection. For example, the method concerns a fluidic connection between the at least one reservoir 3 and the supplies 2, 2A-2D. For example, the method includes pressing the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D into the seal feature 7, 7A-7D (block 200). For example, the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D expands the seal feature 7, 7A-7D and/or a friction fit is established between the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D and the seal feature 7, 7A-7D. For example, the method includes inserting the seal feature 7, 7A-7B in the fluid inlet 8A-8D (block 210). For example, an at least partial deformation of the seal feature 7, 7A-7D and/or a friction fit can provide for better seal properties. For example, the method includes pressing the retainer's support surface 27D onto the shoulder 26D (block 220) of the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D. For example, the method includes pressing the retainer 6, 6A-6D further towards the fluid inlet 8, 8D-8D so that the retainer wings 35D bend outwards, over the counterpart notch's ramp, until the retainer notch 32D snaps into engagement with the counterpart notch 33D, for locking the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D to the fluid inlet 8, 8A-8D (block 230). In this way, the fluidic interconnection between the reservoir 3 and the supplies 2, 2A-2D may be established. For example, fluid starts flowing from the reservoir 3, through the fluid delivery tubes 4, 4A-4D, through the fluid interconnect fitting 5, 5A-5D and the seal feature 7, 7A-7D into the fluid inlet 8, 8A-8D and the supply 2, 2D-2D (block 240). For example, the fluid flows from the supply 2, 2A-2D to a fluid dispensing head 15 for fluid ejection.
a fluid delivery tube for delivering fluid to a fluid supply,
a fluid interconnect fitting connected to the fluid delivery tube, arranged to fluidically connect the fluid delivery tube to the fluid supply,
a retainer arranged to engage the fluid interconnect fitting and the fluid supply for retaining the fluid interconnect fitting with respect to the fluid supply,
a seal feature arranged to mate with the fluid interconnect fitting and having an outer surface that is arranged to be received in a fluid inlet of a fluid supply, and
a tube tray arranged to guide multiple fluid delivery tubes, redirect the fluid delivery tubes over an angle of at least approximately 90°, and be mounted on top of multiple fluid supplies.
2. The fluid coupling of claim 1, the fluid interconnect fitting including an inner channel that is arranged to redirect a fluid flow direction between 60 and 120 degrees.
3. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the seal feature comprises an inner friction fit surface for inserting the fluid interconnect fitting at one end, and an outer friction fit surface to be inserted into the fluid supply.
4. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein
the fluid interconnect fitting comprises a shoulder,
the retainer includes a support surface for engaging the shoulder, and
the retainer includes at least one retainer notch for engaging a counterpart notch of the fluid supply for clipping the retainer to the fluid supply.
5. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the retainer and the fluid interconnect fitting are arranged to have a predefined rotational orientation with respect to each other, in assembled condition.
6. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein
the tube tray comprises a first locking feature,
at least one of the fluid supplies comprises a second locking feature, and
a second retainer feature is provided that is arranged to engage the first and second locking feature for retaining the tube tray with respect to the fluid supplies.
7. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the tube tray comprises
at least one alignment feature for aligning the tube tray with respect to the supplies, and
at least one key feature that is arranged to
communicate with a corresponding supply key feature of a supply for properly connecting the tube tray with the supply, and
provide for improper positioning when it is connected with a different supply than said supply with said corresponding supply key feature.
8. The fluid coupling of claim 1, comprising a fluid inlet cylinder arranged to
be located on or near a top surface of the fluid supply,
provide for an inlet opening in the fluid supply,
receive the respective seal feature, and
allow the retainer to engage the fluid inlet cylinder to retain the fluid interconnect fitting and the seal feature with respect to the cylinder.
9. The fluid coupling of claim 8, the fluid inlet cylinder comprising at least one counterpart notch arranged to engage a first retainer notch in a predefined rotational orientation of the retainer with respect to the fluid inlet cylinder.
10. A print system comprising
the fluid coupling of claim 1, and
a fluid supply connected to the fluid coupling, the fluid supply comprising
a fluid inlet fluidically connected to the fluid delivery tube, and
a fluid outlet for fluidic connection to a fluid dispensing head, wherein
the seal feature extends at least partially in the fluid inlet, and
the fluid supply includes a regulator to regulate fluid flow from the fluid delivery tube to the fluid dispensing head.
11. A method of establishing a fluidic connection between a fluid supply and a fluid delivery tube, comprising
inserting a seal feature into an inlet of the fluid supply,
connecting a fluid interconnect fitting to the seal feature,
connecting a retainer to the fluid interconnect fitting and the fluid supply to retain the fluid interconnect fitting and seal feature with respect to the fluid supply,
fluid flowing through the fluid delivery tube, fluid interconnect fitting and seal feature, into the fluid supply,
mounting the fluid delivery tube in a tube tray,
mounting the tube tray on the fluid supply, and
a second retainer feature engaging the tube tray and the fluid supply for retaining the tube tray with respect to the fluid supply.
pressing the fluid interconnect fitting into the seal feature until a friction fit is established between the fitting, seal feature and inlet,
placing a retainer support surface onto a shoulder of the fluid interconnect fitting, and
pressing the retainer towards the fluid inlet until a retainer notch snaps into engagement with a counterpart notch of the fluid supply for locking the fluid interconnect fitting with respect to the fluid inlet.
13. A kit of parts for assembling a fluid coupling for connecting a fluid reservoir to a fluid supply, comprising
a fluid delivery tube for delivering fluid from the fluid reservoir to the fluid supply,
a fluid interconnect fitting for connection to the fluid delivery tube, arranged to fluidically connect the fluid delivery tube to the fluid supply,
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Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:STUDER, ANTHONY D.;MCFADDEN, BRUCE A.;SHIBATA, ALAN;REEL/FRAME:028077/0972
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:STUDER, ANTHONY D.;MCFADDEN, BRUCE A.;SHIBATA, ALAN;REEL/FRAME:033397/0154